106th Congress (1999 - 2000)
January 24 - December 15, 2000
House Committee Meetings by Date
Compiled from the Congressional Record's Daily Digests via Thomas at thomas.loc.gov
2000/01/24
Daily Digest - Monday, January 24, 2000; D 1- D20
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
2000/01/25
Daily Digest - [Tuesday,] January 25, 2000; pages D21 - D22
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
2000/01/26
Daily Digest - Wednesday, January 26, 2000; pages D23 - D26
Committee Meetings
OVERSIGHT--U.S. TERRORIST THREATS
Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims held an
oversight hearing on Terrorist Threats in the United States. Testimony was
heard from Ambassador Phillip C. Wilcox, the U.S. State Department (retired)
and public witnesses.
2000/01/27
Daily Digest - Thursday, January 27, 2000; pages D28 - D32
Committee Meetings
LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative held a hearing on the
House of Representatives and the Library of Congress. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the House of Representatives: James M. Eagen III,
Chief Administrative Officer; Jeff Trandahl, Clerk; Wilson Livingood, Sergeant
at Arms; Robert B. Frey, Acting Inspector General; Geraldine R. Gennet,
General Counsel; John R. Miller, Law Revision Counsel; M. Pope Barrow, Jr.,
Legislative Counsel; and John F. Eisold, M.D., Attending Physician; and James
H. Billington, Librarian of Congress.
DOD DRUG INTERDICTION PROGRAM
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy
and Human Resources held a hearing on "The Decline of DOD Assets in the Fight
Against Illegal Drugs." Testimony was heard from Jess T. Ford, Associate
Director, International Relations and Trade Issues, National Security and
International Affairs, GAO; Ana Maria D30Salazar, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Drug Enforcement Policy and Support, Department of Defense; Rear Adm. Ernest
R. Riutta, USCG, Assistant Commandant, Operations, U.S. Coast Guard,
Department of Transportation; and Charles Stallworth, Executive Director, Air
and Marine Interdiction Division, U.S. Customs Service, Department of the
Treasury.
[Page: D30]
"Y2K--IN RETROSPECT"
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology and the Subcommittee on Technology of the
Committee on Science held a joint hearing on "The Year 2000 Computer Problem:
Did the World Overreact and What Did We Learn?" Testimony was heard from John
Koskinen, Chair, President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion; Charles
Rossotti, Commissioner, IRS, Department of the Treasury; Fernando Burbano,
Chief Information Officer, Department of State; Joel Willemssen, Director,
Civil Agencies Information Systems, GAO; and public witnesses.
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE--PENALTY AND INTEREST PROVISIONS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on
Penalty and Interest Provisions in the Internal Revenue Code. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of the Treasury: Joseph
M. Mikrut, Tax Legislative Counsel; and W. Val Oveson, National Taxpayer
Advocate; Lindy Paull, Chief of Staff, Joint Committee on Taxation; and public
witnesses.
2000/01/31
Daily Digest - Monday, January 31, 2000; pages D33- D36
Committee Meetings
OSHA ENFORCEMENT POLICY ON EMPLOYEES WORKING AT HOME
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on January 28 on OSHA's Enforcement Policy on
Employees Working at Home. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
OSHA, Department of Labor: Charles Jeffress, Assistant Secretary, and Richard
Fairfax, Director of Compliance Programs; Don Upson, Secretary of Technology,
State of Virginia; and public witnesses.
[Page: D35]
TAIWAN SECURITY ENHANCEMENT ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a modified closed rule on H.R.
1838, Taiwan Security Enhancement Act, providing one hour of debate in the
House equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on International Relations. The rule waives all points
of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the bill
shall be considered as read for amendment. The rule provides that the
amendment recommended by the Committee on International Relations now printed
in the bill shall be considered as adopted. The rule provides for
consideration of the amendment printed in the Congressional Record, if offered
by the Minority Leader or a designee, which shall be considered as read and
shall be separately debatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by
the proponent and an opponent. Finally, the rule provides one motion to
recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman
Gilman.
2000/02/01
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 1, 2000; pages D38 - D44
Committee Meetings
LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative held a hearing on the
Joint Economic Committee, the GPO, the Joint Committee on Taxation, the GAO,
and the Capitol Police Board. Testimony was heard from Representatives Saxton
and Archer; Michael F. DiMario, Public Printer, GPO; David M. Walker,
Comptroller General, GAO; Wilson Livingood, Sergeant at Arms, House of
Representatives; James W. Ziglar, Sergeant at Arms, Senate; Gary L. Abrecht,
Chief, U.S. Capitol Police; and Alan M. Hantman, Architect of the Capitol.
SMALL BUSINESS LIABILITY REFORM ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 2366, Small
Business Liability Reform Act of 1999.
WORKPLACE GOODS JOB GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS ACT
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, a modified open rule
providing 1 hour of general debate on H.R. 2005, Workplace Goods Job Growth
and Competitiveness Act of 1999. The rule makes in order the Committee on the
Judiciary amendment in the nature of a substitute now printed in the bill as
an original bill for the purpose of amendment, which shall be open for
amendment at any point. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed
in the Congressional Record and pro forma amendments for the purpose of
debate. The rule provides that each amendment printed in the Congressional
Record may be offered only by the Member who caused it to printed or his
designee, and that each amendment shall be considered as read. The rule allows
the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during
consideration of the bill, and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a
postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the
rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony
was heard from Representative Chabot.
[Page: D42]
2000/02/02
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 2, 2000; pages D45 - D50
Committee Meetings
LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative held a hearing on the
Office of Compliance, the CBO and the Financial Managers Council. Testimony
was heard from Members of Congress; the following officials of the Office of
Compliance: Barbara Childs Wallace, member, Board of Directors; and Ricky
Silberman, Executive Director; Dan L. Crippen, Director, CBO; the following
officials of the Financial Managers Council: Richard L. Brown, Deputy
Assistant Comptroller General, Operations, GAO; and John D. Webster, Director,
Financial Services, Library of Congress; and public witnesses.
FEDERAL ROLE IN K-12 MATHEMATICS REFORM
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth and Families and the Subcommittee on Post secondary Education, Training,
and Life-Long Learning held a joint hearing on Federal Role in K-12
Mathematics Reform. Testimony was heard from Judith S. Sunley, Interim
Director, Office of Education and Human Resources, NSF; Kent McGuire,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Education Research and Improvement, Department
of Education; and public witnesses.
KYOTO AND THE INTERNET
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Economic Growth,
Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs held a hearing on Kyoto and the
Internet: The Energy Implications of the Digital Economy. Testimony was heard
from Jay E. Hakes, Administrator, Energy Information Administration,
Department of Energy; and public witnesses.
GULF WAR VETERANS' ILLNESSES
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans'
Affairs and International Relations held a hearing on Gulf War Veterans'
Illnesses: The Current Research Agenda. Testimony was heard from Kwai Chan,
Director, Special Studies and Evaluations Group, GAO; the following officials
of the Department of Defense: Lt. Gen. Dale Vesser, USA, Deputy to the Special
Assistant, Gulf War Illnesses; Robert Foster, Director, BioSystems; John
Mazzuchi, M.D., Deputy Assistant Secretary, Health Affairs; and John Feussner,
M.D., Chief Research and Development Officer; Drue Barrett, Chief, Veterans'
Health Activity Working Group, Centers for Disease D49Control and Prevention,
Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.
[Page: D49]
NEW CENTURY--CHANGING AMERICAN DIPLOMACY
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on Changing American
Diplomacy for the New Century. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Overseas Advisory Panel: Lewis Kaden, Chairman; and
Ambassador Langhorne A. Motley, member; and a public witness.
PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS IMPLEMENTATION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution approved for full
Committee action, as amended, H.R. 2372, Private Property Rights
Implementation Act of 1999.
COMMON SENSE PROTECTIONS FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 3160, Common Sense Protections
for Endangered Species Act. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MARRIAGE TAX PENALTY RELIEF ACT
Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 6, Marriage
Tax Penalty Relief Act of 1999.
2000/02/03
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 3, 2000; pages D51 - D56
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
2000/02/07
Daily Digest - Monday, February 7, 2000; pages D57 - D60
Committee Meetings
There were no committee meetings today.
[Page: D58]
2000/02/08
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 8, 2000; pages D61 - D66
Committee Meetings
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the Secretary of Health and Human Services and
the Health Care Financing Administration. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Donna E.
Shalala, Secretary; and Nancy Ann DeParle, Administrator, Health Care
Financing Administration.
DEFENSE BUDGET ADEQUACY
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the adequacy of the defense
budget. Testimony was heard from the following former Secretaries of Defense:
James R. Schlesinger; and William J. Perry; and public witnesses.
RECENT BANK FAILURES
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing on Recent Bank
Failures; Underlying Factors including Subprime Lending, Asset
Securitizations, and Fraud; Regulatory Initiatives; and H.R. 3374, Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation Examination Enhancement and Insurance Fund
Protection Act. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of the Treasury: John D. Hawke, Jr., Comptroller of the Currency;
and Ellen Seidman, Director, Office of Thrift Supervision; Donna Tanoue,
Chairman, FDIC; and Laurence H. Meyer, member, Board of Governors, Federal
Reserve System.
ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the Administration's Budget for
Fiscal Year 2001. Testimony was heard from Jacob J. Lew, Director, OMB.
OVERSIGHT--2000 CENSUS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on the Census held an oversight
hearing on the 2000 Census: Examining the Status of Key Census 2000
Operations. Testimony was heard from Kenneth D64Prewitt, Director, Bureau of
the Census, Department of Commerce.
[Page: D64]
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and
Oceans held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3331, Atlantic Highly
Migratory Species Conservation Act of 1999; H.R. 3390, Atlantic Highly
Migratory Species Conservation Act of 1999; and H.R. 3516, to amend the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to prohibit pelagic
longline fishing in the exclusive economic zone in the Atlantic Ocean.
Testimony was heard from Representative Goss; Penelope Dalton, Assistant
Administrator, Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Department
of Commerce; and public witnesses.
NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule on H.R. 2086,
Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act, providing
one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and
ranking member of the Committee on Science. The rule provides that it shall be
in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment the
amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on
Science now printed in the bill, modified by striking section 8. The rule
provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute, as modified, shall
be open for amendment by section. The rule allows the Chairman of the
Committee of the Whole to accord priority in recognition to Members who have
pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record and provides that
those amendments shall be considered as read. The rule allows the Chairman of
the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill
and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote
follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to
recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman
Sensenbrenner and Representative Hall of Texas.
MARRIAGE TAX PENALTY RELIEF ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule on H.R. 6,
Marriage Tax Penalty Relief Act of 2000, providing two hours of debate equally
divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the
Committee on Ways and Means. The rule waives all points of order against
consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the amendment recommended by
the Committee on Ways and Means now printed in the bill shall be considered as
adopted upon adoption of the resolution. The rule provides for consideration
of the amendment in the nature of a substitute, printed in the report
accompanying the resolution, if offered by Representative Rangel or his
designee which shall be considered as read and shall be separately debatable
for one hour equally divided between the proponent and an opponent. The rule
waives all points of order against consideration of the amendment printed in
the report. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without
instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Archer and Representatives
Weller and Rangel.
OUTCOME--SEATTLE WTO MINISTERIAL
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade held a hearing on the
outcome of the World Trade Organization Ministerial held in Seattle. Testimony
was heard from Representatives Lewis of Georgia, Weller and Waters; Charlene
Barshefsky, U.S. Trade Representative; Susan Westin, Associate Director,
International Relations and Trade, GAO; and public witnesses.
2000/02/09
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 9, 2000; pages D68 - D74
Committee Meetings
RURAL AMERICA DIRECT-TO-HOME SATELLITE SERVICES
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight,
Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing to review legislation to establish a
loan guarantee program to promote the delivery of direct-to-home satellite
services to rural America. Testimony was heard from Representatives Emerson
and Boucher; Christopher McLean, Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities
Service, USDA; and public witnesses.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the Administration on Children, Youth and
Families, the Administration on Aging, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration and the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Health
and Human Services: Olivia Golden, Assistant Secretary, Administration for
Children and Families; Jeanette Takamura, Assistant Secretary, Administration
on Aging; Nelba Chavez, M.D., Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration; and John M. Eisenberg, Administrator, Agency for
Health Care Policy and Research.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2001 National
Defense Authorization Budget Request. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: William S. Cohen, Secretary; Gen.
Henry H. Shelton, USA, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and William J. Lynn,
III, Comptroller.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
HOLOCAUST VICTIMS' ASSETS RESTITUTION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing on issues related
to the restitution of Holocaust victims' assets. Testimony was heard from
Stuart Eizenstat, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Treasury; and public
witnesses.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
MEDICAL ERRORS: IMPROVING QUALITY OF CARE
Committee on Commerce, Subcommittee on Health and Environment, the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and the Subcommittee on Health of
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a joint hearing on Medical Errors:
Improving Quality of Care and Consumer Information. Testimony was heard from
Thomas Garthwaite, M.D., Acting Under Secretary, Health, Veterans Health
Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Janet Heinrich, Associate
Director, Health Financing and Public Health Issues, GAO; and public
witnesses.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held an oversight hearing on The White House, the Networks, and TV
Censorship. Testimony was heard from Donald R. Vereen, Jr., M.D., Deputy
Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy; and public witnesses.
INNOVATIVE EDUCATION--PROVIDING FLEXIBILITY
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth, and Families held a hearing on Title VI: Providing Flexibility for
Innovative Education. Testimony was heard from Valerie Woodruff, Acting
Secretary of Education, Department of Education, State of Delaware; and public
witnesses.
[Page: D72]
OVERSIGHT--ADA'S APPLICABILITY TO PRIVATE INTERNET SITES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held an oversight
hearing on the Applicability of the Americans with Disabilities Act to Private
Internet Sites. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--ALASKA PUBLIC LANDS ACCESS; CRAIG MUNICIPAL EQUITY ACT
Committee on Resources: Held an oversight hearing on issues and controversies
relating to access across conservation systems lands and other public lands in
Alaska under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. Testimony
was heard from Donald J. Barry, Assistant Secretary, Fish and Wildlife and
Parks, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
The Committee also held a hearing on H.R. 3182, Craig Municipal Equity Act of
1999. Testimony was heard from Jack Craven, Director of Lands, Forest Service,
USDA; and Dennis Watson, Mayor, Craig, Alaska.
SHRINKING WORKFORCE ENDANGERS AMERICA'S SMALL BUSINESSES; SKILLED WORKFORCE
ENHANCEMENT ACT
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on Shrinking Workforce Endangers
America's Small Businesses: Examining the Need for the Skilled Workforce
Enhancement Act, focusing on H.R. 1824, Skilled Workforce Enhancement Act of
1999. Testimony was heard from Senator DeWine; and public witnesses.
FISCAL YEAR 2001--AGENCY BUDGETS AND PRIORITIES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on Agency Budgets and Priorities for
Fiscal year 2001. Testimony was heard from Joseph W. Westphal, Assistant
Secretary, Army (Civil Works), Corps of Engineers; the following officials of
the EPA: J. Charles Fox, Assistant Administrator, Water; and Timothy Fields,
Jr., Assistant Administrator, Solid Waste and Emergency Response; the
following officials of the TVA: Kate J. Jackson, Executive Vice President,
Resource Group; and David N. Smith, CFO; Danny D. Sells, Associate Chief,
Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA; and Sally J. Yozell, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA, Department of Commerce.
ADMINISTRATION'S FISCAL YEAR 2001 BUDGET
Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the Administration's Fiscal
Year 2001 budget. Testimony was heard from Lawrence H. Summers, Secretary of
the Treasury.
2000/02/10
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 10, 2000; pages D75 - D86
Committee Meetings
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the Health Resources and Services
Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of Health and Human
Services: Claude Earl Fox, Administrator, Health Resources and Services
Administration; and Jeffrey Koplan, Director, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation began
appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from Members of Congress and
public witnesses.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Armed Services: Continued hearings on the Fiscal Year 2001
National Defense Authorization Budget Request. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Gen. Eric K. Shinseki, USA,
Chief of Staff, Department of the Army; Adm. Jay L. Johnson, USN, Chief of
Naval Operations, Department of the Navy; Gen. Michael E. Ryan, USAF, Chief of
Staff, Department of the Air Force; and Gen. James L. Jones, USMC, Commandant,
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
Hearings continue February 17.
HOLOCAUST VICTIMS' ASSETS RESTITUTION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Concluded hearings on issues
related to the restitution of Holocaust victims' assets. Testimony was heard
from Lawrence Eagleburger, Chairman, International Commission on Holocaust-Era
Insurance Claims; Earl Powell, Director, National Gallery of Art, Smithsonian
Institution; and public witnesses.
REUSE OF SINGLE-USE MEDICAL DEVICES
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a
hearing on the reuse of single-use medical devices. Testimony was heard from
David W. Feigal, Jr., M.D., Director, Center for Devices and Radiological
Health, FDA, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.
21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS PROGRAM
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth, and Families held a hearing on 21st Century Community Learning Centers
Program. Testimony was heard from Michael Cohen, Assistant Secretary, Office
of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education; and public
witnesses.
OPEC AND THE NORTHEAST ENERGY CRISIS
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on OPEC and the Northeast
Energy Crisis. Testimony was heard from David L. Goldwyn, Assistant Secretary,
International Affairs, Department of Energy; Peter Bass, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Energy, Sanctions and Commodities, Bureau of Economic and Business
Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT--PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF CRIME VICTIMS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing on
H.J. Res. 64, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States
to protect the rights of crime victims. Testimony was heard from Senators Kyl
and Feinstein; Representatives Chabot, Barcia and Scott; Judge Emmet G.
Sullivan, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia; and public witnesses.
MONEY LAUNDERING
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held a hearing on money
laundering. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Justice: James K. Robinson, Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division;
and Stefan Cassella, Assistant Chief, Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering
Section; John Varrone, Executive Director, Domestic Operations East, Office of
Investigations, U.S. Customs Service, Department of the Treasury; and public
witnesses.
SECRET EVIDENCE REPEAL ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims held a
hearing on H.R. 2121, Secret Evidence Repeal Act of 1999. Testimony was heard
from Representatives Campbell and Bonior; Larry R. Parkinson, General Counsel,
FBI, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.
[Page: D82]
OVERSIGHT--VISA WAIVER PILOT PROGRAM
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims held an
oversight hearing on the Visa Waiver Pilot Program. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Justice: Robert Ashbaugh, Acting
Inspector General; Mike Cronin, Acting Associate Commissioner, Office of
Programs, Immigration and Naturalization Service; and Elisa Liang, Associate
Deputy Attorney General; Ambassador Mary A. Ryan, Assistant Secretary,
Consular Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--PROPOSED CONCESSIONS REGULATIONS
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held
an oversight hearing on Proposed Concessions Regulations. Testimony was heard
from Maureen Finnerty, Associate Director, Park Operations and Education,
National Park Service, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 3595, to increase the authorization of appropriations
for the Reclamation Safety and Dams Act of 1978; H.R. 3577, to increase the
amount authorized to be appropriated for the north side pumping division of
the Minidoka reclamation project, Idaho; H.R. 2647, Ak-Chin Water Use
Amendments Act of 1999; and H.R. 3236, to authorize the Secretary of the
Interior to enter into contracts with the Weber Basin Water Conservancy
District, Utah, to use Weber Basin Project facilities for the impounding,
storage, and carriage of nonproject water for domestic, municipal, industrial,
and other beneficial purposes. Testimony was heard from Representative
Shadegg; Eluid Martinez, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of
the Interior; and public witnesses.
CERTAIN EPA'S PROPOSED REGULATIONS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on EPA's Proposed Regulations
Regarding Total Maximum Daily Loads, the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System, and the Federal Anti-Degradation Policy. Testimony was
heard from J. Charles Fox, Assistant Administrator, EPA; Peter J. Guerrero,
Director, Resources, Community and Economic Development, GAO; Carol R.
Collier, Executive Director, Delaware River Basin Commission; and public
witnesses.
Hearings continue February 15.
MEDICAL ERRORS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Medical
Errors. Testimony was heard from Linda J. Connell, Director, Aviation Safety
Reporting System, Ames Research Center, NASA; James P. Bagian, Director,
National Center for Patient Safety, Veterans Health Administration, Department
of Veterans Affairs; and public witnesses.
BABY BOOMER BENEFICIARIES--SOCIAL SECURITY READINESS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security and the
Subcommittee on Human Resources held a joint hearing to Examine Social
Security's Readiness for the Impending Wave of Baby Boomer Beneficiaries.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Social Security
Advisory Board: Stanford G. Ross, Chair; and Sylvester J. Schieber, member;
the following officials of the GAO: Cynthia M. Fagnoni, Director, Education,
Workforce and Income Security Issues, Health Education and Human Services
Division; and Joel C. Willemssen, Director, Civil Agencies Information
Systems, Accounting and Information Management Division; and public witnesses.
2000/02/14
Daily Digest - Monday, February 14, 2000: pages D88 - D90
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
2000/02/15
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 15, 2000; pages D91 - D96
Committee Meetings
COMMODITY EXCHANGE ACT--OVER-THE-COUNTER DERIVATIVES MARKETS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Risk Management, Research, and
Specialty Crops held a hearing to review the President's Working Group Report
on the over-the-counter derivatives markets and the Commodity Exchange Act.
Testimony was heard from Lee Sachs, Assistant Secretary, Financial Markets,
Department of the Treasury; C. Robert Paul, General Counsel, CFTC; Patrick M.
Parkinson, Associate Director, Division of Research and Statistics, Board of
Governors, Federal Reserve System; Annette L. Nazareth, Director, Division of
Market Regulation, SEC; and public witnesses.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held an oversight
hearing on the Fish and Wildlife Service Land Acquisition Accounts and
Priority Setting. Testimony was heard from Jim Wells, Director, Energy and
Natural Resources Division, GAO; and Jamie Rappaport Clark, Director, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.
[Page: D93]
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the Director, National Institutes of Health,
and on the National Cancer Institute. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Ruth Kirschstein,
M.D., Acting Director, NIH; and Richard D. Klausner, M.D., Director, National
Cancer Institute.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction held a
hearing on overview. Testimony was heard from William J. Lynn, III, Under
Secretary, Comptroller, Department of Defense.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a hearing on
the Secretary of Transportation. Testimony was heard from Rodney E. Slater,
Secretary of Transportation.
AMERICAN HOMEOWNERSHIP AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and
Community Opportunity approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R.
1776, American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act of 1999.
FAIRNESS IN SECURITIES TRANSACTION ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials
approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 2441, Fairness in
Securities Transactions Act.
EMERGENCY COMMODITY DISTRIBUTION ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth, and Families held a hearing on H.R. 3614, Emergency Commodity
Distribution Act of 2000. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
ERISA--25 YEARS LATER
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Employee-Employer
Relations held a hearing on the Evolving Pension and Investment World After 25
years of ERISA. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--2000 CENSUS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on the Census held an oversight
hearing of the 2000 Census: Examining the GAO's Census 2000 Oversight
Activities. Testimony was heard from J. Christopher Mihm, Acting Associate
Director, Federal Management and Workforce Issues, GAO.
COLOMBIA CRISIS--U.S. RESPONSE
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy
and Human Resources held a hearing on The U.S. Response to the Crisis in
Colombia. Testimony was heard from Barry R. McCaffrey, Director, Office of
National Drug Control Policy; the following officials of the Department of
Defense: Gen. Charles Wilhelm, USMC, Commander, U.S. Southern Command; and Ana
Maria Salazar, Drug Enforcement Policy and Support; William Ledwith, Chief,
International Operations, DEA, Department of Justice; Ambassador Peter F.
Romero, Department of State; and public witnesses.
"IS THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR REGULATING THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE BACKDOOR?"
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Economic Growth,
Natural Resources, and Regulatory Affairs held a hearing on "Is the Department
of Labor Regulating the Public Through the Backdoor?" Testimony was heard from
Henry L. Solano, Solicitor, Department of Labor; and public witnesses.
CONGO--PEACE KEEPING
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa held a hearing on
Peace Keeping in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Testimony was heard
from Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, U.S. Representative to the United Nations,
Department of State.
BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES; TRAFFIC STOPS STATISTICS STUDY ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Began consideration of the following: Committee
Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2001 for submission to the
Committee on the Budget; and H.R. 1443, Traffic Stops Statistics Study Act of
1999.
Will continue tomorrow.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE
Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a
hearing on H.R. 3432, to direct the Minerals Management Service to grant the
State of Louisiana and its lessees a credit in the payment of Federal offshore
royalties to satisfy the authorization for compensation contained in the Oil
Pollution Act of 1990 for oil and gas drainage in the West Delta field.
Testimony was heard from Walt Rosenbusch, Director, Minerals Management
Service, D94Department of the Interior; Jack C. Caldwell, Secretary,
Department of Natural Resources, State of Louisiana; and a public witness.
[Page: D94]
OVERSIGHT--FUNDING OF ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on the Funding of Environmental Initiatives and Their
Impacts on Local Communities. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
SMALL BUSINESS LIABILITY REFORM ACT
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, a structured rule,
providing one hour of general debate on H.R. 2366, Small Business Liability
Reform Act of 2000, equally divided between the chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on the Judiciary. The rule makes in order the
Committee on the Judiciary amendment in the nature of a substitute now printed
in the bill as an original bill for the purpose of amendment. The rule makes
in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report
accompanying the resolution. The rule provides that the amendments made in
order may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered
only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall
be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and
controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to
amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question
in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of
order against the amendments printed in the report. The rule permits the
Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during consideration
of the bill, and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a postponed question
if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one
motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Rogan, Conyers, Scott, Berman, Watt of North Carolina,
Lofgren, and Jackson-Lee.
The Committee also approved the Committee Budget Views and Estimates for
Fiscal Year 2001 for submission to the Committee on the Budget.
U.S. AND GREAT BRITAIN--AVIATION NEGOTIATIONS BREAKDOWN
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on the Recent Breakdown of Aviation Negotiations Between the United
States and the United Kingdom. Testimony was heard from Rodney E. Slater,
Secretary of Transportation; and public witnesses.
CERTAIN EPA'S PROPOSED REGULATIONS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment concluded hearings on the EPA's Proposed Regulations
Regarding Total Maximum Daily Loads, the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System, and the Federal Anti-Degradation Policy. Testimony was
heard from Jim Lyons, Under Secretary, Natural Resources
and Environment, USDA; and public witnesses.
PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS--SENIORS' ACCESS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Seniors'
Access to Prescription Drug Benefits. Testimony was heard from David M.
Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; and public witnesses.
SOCIAL SECURITY WORK INCENTIVES IMPROVEMENTS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing on
improving Social Security Work Incentives. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Sam Johnson of Texas and Peterson of Minnesota; Kenneth S.
Apfel, Commissioner, SSA; and public witnesses.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
consider pending business.
2000/02/16
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 16, 2000; pages D97 - D102
Committee Meetings
RURAL LOCAL BROADCAST SIGNAL ACT; BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on Agriculture: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 3615, Rural Local
Broadcast Signal Act.
The Committee also approved the Committee Budget Views and Estimates for
Fiscal Year 2001 for submission to the Committee on the Budget.
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies began appropriation
hearings. Testimony was heard from Dan Glickman, Secretary of Agriculture.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session
to hold a hearing on Military Readiness. Testimony was heard from the
following officials from the Department of Defense: Adm. D.L. Pilling, USN,
Vice Chief of Naval Operations; Gen. John Keane, USA, Vice Chief of Staff;
Gen. Terrence Dake, USMC, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps; and Gen.
Lester Lyles, USAF, Vice Chief of Staff.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held an oversight
hearing on the Forest Service Managerial Accountability. Testimony was heard
from Barry T. Hill, Associate Director, Energy and Natural Resources Division,
GAO; the following officials from the U.S. Forest Service, Department of
Agriculture: Mike Dombeck, Chief; Vincette Goerl, Chief Financial Officer; and
Randle Phillips, Deputy Chief for Programs and Legislation; and public
witnesses.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the National Institute on Aging, the National
Center for Research Resources, the National Institute of Child Health and
Human Development and the National Institute of Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of Health and Human Services: Richard J. Hodes, Director,
National Institute on Aging; Judith Vaitukaitis, Director, National Center for
Research Resources; Duane Alexander, M.D., Director, National Institute of
Child Health and Human Development; and James F. Battey Jr., M.D., National
Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction held a
hearing on the Quality of D99Life. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: Robert E. Hall, Sgt. Maj. U.S. Army;
James Herdt, Master Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy; Alfred L. McMichael, Sgt.
Maj., U.S. Marine Corps; and Frederick J. Finch, Chief Master Sgt, U.S. Air
Force.
[Page: D99]
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE PROGRAMS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Procurement and the
Subcommittee on Military Research and Development held a joint hearing on
ballistic missile defense programs. Testimony was heard from Lt. Gen. Robert
T. Kadish, U.S. Air Force, Director, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization,
Department of Defense.
BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Approved Committee Budget Views
and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2001 for submission to the Committee on the
Budget.
MERGING THE DEPOSIT INSURANCE FUNDS
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial
Institutions and Consumer Credit held a hearing on Merging the Deposit
Insurance Funds. Testimony was heard from Donna Tanoue, Chairman, FDIC;
Gregory Baer, Assistant Secretary, Financial Institutions, Department of the
Treasury; and public witnesses.
ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET--PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Preliminary Analysis of the
Administration's Fiscal Year 2001 Budget. Testimony was heard from Dan L.
Crippen, Director, CBO.
AFFORDABLE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS--SENIORS' ACCESS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
on Seniors' Access to Affordable Prescription Drugs: Models for Reform.
Testimony was heard from Bonnie Washington, Director, Office of Legislation,
Health Care Financing Administration, Department of Health and Human Services;
William J. Scanlon, Director, Health Financing and Public Health Issues, GAO;
and public witnesses.
VIDEO ON THE INTERNET
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on Video on the Internet: iCraveTV.com and Other
Recent Developments in Webcasting. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
LITERACY INVOLVES FAMILIES TOGETHER ACT; IMPACT AID REAUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ordered reported, as amended, the
following bills: H.R. 3222, Literacy Involves Families Together Act; and H.R.
3616, Impact Aid Reauthorization Act of 2000.
DEFENSE SECURITY SERVICE OVERSIGHT
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans'
Affairs, and International Relations held a hearing on Defense Security
Service Oversight. Testimony was heard from Carol R. Schuster, Associate
Director, National Security International Affairs Division, GAO; Gen. Charles
Cunningham, Director, Defense Security Service, Department of Defense; and
Gen. Larry D. Welch, Chairman, Joint Security Commission.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BUDGET REQUEST; BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on the Administration's
Fiscal Year 2001 International Affairs Budget Request. Testimony was heard
from Madeleine K. Albright, Secretary of State.
The Committee also approved Committee Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal
Year 2001 for submission to the Committee on the Budget.
INDONESIA
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
held a hearing on Indonesia: Confronting the Political and Economic Crises.
Testimony was heard from Timothy F. Geithner, Under Secretary, International
Affairs, Department of the Treasury; Stanley Roth, Assistant Secretary, East
Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses.
BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on the Judiciary: Continued consideration of Committee Budget Views
and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2001 for submission to the Committee on the
Budget.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following bills: S. 613, Indian
Tribal Economic Development and Contract Encouragement Act of 1999; H.R. 1680,
amended, to provide for the conveyance of Forest Service property in Kern
County, California, in exchange for county lands suitable for inclusion in
Sequoia National Forest; H.R. 1749, amended, to designate Wilson Creek in
Avery and Caldwell Counties, North Carolina, as a component of the National
Wild and Scenic Rivers Systems; and H.R. D1002484, to provide that land which
is owned by the Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota but
which is not held in trust by the United States for the Community may be
leased or transferred by the Community without further approval by the United
States.
[Page: D100]
BIENNIAL BUDGETING
Committee on Rules: Held a hearing on Biennial Budgeting: A Tool for Improving
Government Fiscal Management and Oversight. Testimony was heard from. Speaker
Hastert; and Representatives Young of Florida, Obey, Regula, Price of North
Carolina, Knollenberg, Smith of Michigan, Bass, Barton of Texas, McCarthy of
Missouri, Stearns, Ney and Whitfield.
NSF BUDGET AUTHORIZATION REQUEST
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Basic Research held a hearing on
National Science Foundation Fiscal Year 2001 Budget Authorization Request,
Part I: Research and Related Activities and Major Research Equipment.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the NSF: Rita Colwell,
Director; and Ramon Kelly, Chairman, National Science Board.
NASA AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on
Fiscal Year 2001 NASA Authorization, NASA Posture. Testimony was heard from
Daniel S. Goldin, Administrator, NASA.
ASSOCIATION HEALTH PLANS; BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on Association Health Plans.
Testimony was heard from James R. Baumgardner, Acting Deputy Assistant
Director, Health Policy, CBO; and public witnesses.
The Committee also approved Committee Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal
Year 2001 for submission to the Committee on the Budget.
BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES; MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Approved the following:
Committee Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2001 for submission to
the Committee on the Budget; and several water survey resolutions.
FLOOD WATER RESCUE
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Oversight,
Investigations, and Emergency Management held a hearing on Flood Water Rescue.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Bilbray and Morella; Bruce Baughman,
Director, Operations and Planning Division, FEMA; and public witnesses.
BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES; U.S-CHINA BILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENT--ACCESSION OF
CHINA TO THE WTO
Committee on Ways and Means: Approved Committee Budget Views and Estimates for
Fiscal Year 2001 for submission to the Committee on the Budget.
The Committee also held a hearing on the U.S.-China Bilateral Trade Agreement
and the Accession of China to the WTO. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Smith of New Jersey, Pelosi, Dooley of California, Moran of
Virginia, Knollenberg, Blumenauer and Walden of Oregon; Charlene Barshefsky,
U.S. Trade Representative; and public witnesses.
SENIOR CITIZENS' FREEDOM TO WORK ACT
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security approved for full
Committee, as amended, H.R. 5, Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act of 1999.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY--STATE OF COUNTERINTELLIGENCE
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Held a hearing on the State of
Counterintelligence at the Department of Energy and Its Three Key Nuclear
Weapons Laboratories. Testimony was heard from Paul Redmond, Consultant to the
Committee.
2000/02/22
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 22, 2000; pages D103 - D108
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: On February 17, the Subcommittee on Agriculture,
Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a
hearing on the Inspector General. Testimony was heard from Roger C. Viadero,
Inspector General, USDA.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: On February 17, the Subcommittee on Commerce,
Justice, State, and Judiciary held a hearing on the Legal Services
Corporation. Testimony was heard from John McKay, President, Legal Services
Corporation.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: On February 17, the Subcommittee on Defense held
a hearing on Defense Medical Programs. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: Rudy DeLeon, Under Secretary; William
Lynn, II, Under Secretary; and Sue Bailey, Assistant Secretary.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: On February 17, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and
Human Services, and Education held a hearing on the National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research,
the National Institute of Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol
Abuse and Alcoholism. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
NIH, Department of Health and Human Services: Claude Lenfant, M.D., Director,
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; Harold Slavkin, DDS, Director,
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research; Alan I. Leshner, M.D.,
Director, National Institute of Drug Abuse; and Enoch Gordis, M.D., Director,
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Armed Services: On February 17, the Committee continued hearings
on the Fiscal Year 2001 National Defense Authorization Budget Request.
Testimony was heard from the following Gen. Wesley K. Clark, USA, Commander in
Chief, U.S. European Command, Department of Defense.
CONDUCT OF MONETARY POLICY
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: On February 17, the Committee
held a hearing on the Conduct of Monetary Policy (Humphrey-Hawkins). Testimony
was heard from Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve
System.
OVERSIGHT--HIGH-RISK GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
Committee on the Budget: On February 17, the Committee held a hearing on
"Oversight of `High-Risk' Government Programs." Testimony was heard from David
M. Walker, Comptroller, GAO; Donald Mancuso, Deputy Inspector General,
Department of Defense; Susan Gaffney, Inspector General, Department of Housing
and Urban Development; June Gibbs, Brown, Inspector General, Department of
Health and Human Services; and Lorraine Pratte Lewis, Inspector General,
Department of Education.
LOW-POWER FM STATIONS--REGULATION BY FCC
Committee on Commerce: On February 17, the Subcommittee on Telecommunications,
Trade, and Consumer Protection a hearing on the FCC's Low-power FM: A Review
of the FCC's Spectrum Management Responsibilities in addition to H.R. 3439,
Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from Bruce
Franca, Deputy Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology, FCC; and public
witnesses.
21ST CENTURY WORKER SHORTAGES
Committee on Education and the Workforce: On February 17, the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on 21st Century Worker Shortages.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
HHS DRUG TREATMENT SUPPORT
Committee on Government Reform: On February 17, the Subcommittee on Criminal
Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources held a hearing on HHS Drug Treatment
Support: Is SAMHSA Optimizing Resources? Testimony was heard from Janet
Heinrich, Associate Director, Health, Finance and Public Health Issues, GAO;
and public witnesses.
[Page: D106]
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: On February 17, the Subcommittee on Immigration
and Claims held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3058, Anti-Atrocity
Alien Deportation Act; and H.R. 2883, Adopted Orphans Citizenship Act.
Testimony was heard from Representative Foley; the following officials of the
Department of Justice: Gerri Ratliff, Director, Business Process and
Re-engineering Services and Acting Director, Office of Congressional
Relations, Immigration and Naturalization Service; and James Castello,
Associate Deputy Attorney General; Edward A. Betancourt, Director, Office of
Policy Review and Interagency Liaison, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department
of State; and public witnesses.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS BUDGET
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: On February 17, the Committee held a hearing
on the Fiscal Year 2001 budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Testimony was heard from Togo D. West, Jr., Secretary, Department of Veterans
Affairs; and representatives of veterans organizations.
PATIENT RECORDS CONFIDENTIALITY
Committee on Ways and Means: On February 17, the Subcommittee on Health held a
hearing on the Confidentiality of Patient Records. Testimony was heard from
Margaret Hamburg, M.D., Assistant Secretary, Planning and Evaluation,
Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.
CHILD PROTECTION REVIEW SYSTEM
Committee on Ways and Means: On February 17, the Subcommittee on Human
Resources held a hearing on Child Protection Review System. Testimony was
heard from Representative Greenwood; Olivia A. Golden, Assistant Secretary,
Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services; and public
witnesses.
2000/02/23
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 23, 2000; pages D110 - D114
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings are scheduled.
2000/02/24
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 24, 2000; pages D116 - D124
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
2000/02/28
Daily Digest - Monday, February 28, 2000; pages D126 - D130
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
2000/02/29
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 29, 2000; pages D132 - D140
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the FDA.
Testimony was heard from Jane E. Henney, M.D., Commissioner, FDA, Department
of Health and Human Services.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing and Related Programs held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2000 Emergency
Supplemental Request for Assistance to Plan Colombia and Related
Counter-Narcotics Program. Testimony was heard from Barry McCaffrey, Director,
Office of National Drug Control Policy; and Randy Beers, Assistant Secretary,
International Narcotics Control, Department of State.
[Page: D136]
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on the
Secretary of the Interior. Testimony was heard from Bruce Babbitt, Secretary
of the Interior.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the National Institute of General Medical
Sciences the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the
National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and the
National Library of Medicine. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the NIH, Department of Health and Human Services: Gerald D. Fischbach,
M.D., Director, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke;
Marvin Cassman, M.D., Director, National Institute of General Medical
Sciences; Allen M. Spiegel, M.D., Director, National Institute of Diabetes,
Digestive and Kidney Diseases; and Donald A.B. Linberg, M.D., Director,
National Library of Medicine.
VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Testimony was heard from Harris Wofford, CEO, Corporation for National and
Community Service.
MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Armed Services: Special Oversight Panel on the Merchant Marine
held a hearing on the Fiscal year 2001 Maritime Administration authorization
request and related matters. Testimony was heard from John E. Graykowski,
Deputy Administrator, Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.
NAVY SHIPBUILDING PROGRAMS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Procurement held a
hearing on Navy shipbuilding programs. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of the Navy: Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher,
USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Resources, Warfare Requirement and
Assessments); Vice Adm. Charles W. Moore, USN, Commander, Third Fleet; and
Vice Adm. Dennis W. McGinn, USN, Commander, Third Fleet; and public witnesses.
READINESS NEEDS--BUDGET REQUEST ADEQUACY
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Readiness held a hearing
on the adequacy of the Fiscal Year 2001 budget request to meet readiness
needs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Defense: Gen. John M. Keane, USA, Vice Chief of Staff, Department of the Army;
Adm. Donald L. Pilling, USN, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Department of the
Navy; Gen. Lester L. Lyles, USAF, Vice Chief of Staff, Department of the Air
Force; and Gen. Terrence Dake, USMC, Assistant Commandant, Headquarters, U.S.
Marine Corps.
U.S./MEXICO COUNTER-NARCOTICS EFFORTS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy
and Human Resources held a hearing on U.S./Mexico Counter-narcotics Efforts.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Justice:
William Ledwith, Director, International Operations, DEA; Mary Lee Warren,
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division; and John Montoya, U.S.
Border Patrol Sector Chief, Loredo; and a public witness.
IRS'S FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDIT RESULTS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing on the Results of the Internal
Revenue Service's Fiscal Year 1999 Financial Statement Audit. Testimony was
heard from Gregory D. Kutz, Associate Director, Governmentwide Accounting and
Financial Management, Accounting and Information Management Division, GAO; and
the following officials of the Department of the Treasury: Lawrence W. Rogers,
Acting Chief Financial Officer, IRS; and Steven O. App, Deputy Chief Financial
Officer.
MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD ADMINISTRATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held a hearing on H.R. 3312, Merit Systems Protection Board Administrative
Dispute Resolution Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from Ben L. Erdreich,
Chairman, Merit Systems Protection Board; Jeffrey Senger, Deputy Senior
Counsel, Office of Dispute Resolution, Department of Justice; and public
witnesses.
GOVERNMENT WASTE CORRECTIONS ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote an open rule providing one hour of
general debate on H.R. D1371827, Government Waste Corrections Act of 1999,
equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the
Committee on Government Reform. The rule provides that, in lieu of the
amendment recommended by the Committee on Government Reform and printed in the
bill, the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the report of the
Committee on Rules accompanying the resolution be considered as original text
for the purpose of amendment. The rule waives clause 4 of rule XXI
(prohibiting appropriations in a legislative bill) against provisions included
in the amendment in the nature of a substitute. The rule provides that the
amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be open for amendment at any
point. The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to accord
priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in
the Congressional Record. The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the
Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill and to reduce voting
time to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen
minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without
instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Burton.
[Page: D137]
CONSIDERATION OF MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE RULES
Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote a rule providing for consideration
of motions to suspend the rules at any time on the legislative day of
Wednesday, March 8, 2000. The rule provides that the Speaker or his designee
will consult with the Minority Leader or his designee on any suspension
considered under the resolution.
NSF BUDGET AUTHORIZATION REQUEST
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Basic Research continued hearings on the
National Science Foundation Fiscal Year 2001 Budget Authorization request,
Part II: Education and Human Resources. Testimony was heard from Judith S.
Sunley, Acting Assistant Director, Directorate for Education and Human
Resources, NSF; and public witnesses.
SBA'S PROPOSED NEW AUTOMATED LOAN MONITORING PROGRAM
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Government Programs and Oversight
held a hearing on the SBA's Proposed New Automated Loan Monitoring Program.
Testimony was heard from Fred Hochberg, Deputy Administrator, SBA; Joel C.
Willemssen, Director, Civil Agencies Information Systems, Accounting and
Information Management Division, GAO; and a public witness.
FAA'S BUDGET REQUEST AND FUNDING NEEDS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on the FAA's Budget request and funding needs. Testimony was heard
from Edward T. Schafer, Governor, North Dakota; Paul E. Patton, Governor,
Kentucky; Bill Campbell, Mayor, Atlanta, Georgia; the following officials of
the State of Oklahoma: Susan Savage, Mayor, Tulsa; Mitch Surrett, Special
Counsel, Secretary of Transportation; and Tom O'Neill, Aerospace Industry
Deputy, Department of Commerce; and a public witness.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
COAST GUARD AND FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION BUDGET REQUESTS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on the Coast Guard and Federal
Maritime Commission Fiscal Year 2001 budget requests. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation:
Adm. James M. Loy, USCG, Commandant; and Master Chief Petty Officer Vincent
Patton, III, USCG; and Harold J. Creel, Jr., Chairman, Federal Maritime
Commission.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3313,
Long Island South Restoration Act; and H.R. 2957, Lake Pontchartrain Basis
Restoration Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from Representatives Johnson of
Connecticut, Ackerman, Shays, Jefferson, Lazio and Vitter; George E. Pataki,
Governor, New York; John C. Rowland, Governor, Connecticut; and public
witnesses.
SENIOR CITIZENS' FREEDOM TO WORK ACT
Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 5, Senior
Citizens' Freedom to Work Act of 2000.
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION REFORM
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on
unemployment compensation reform. Testimony was heard from Representatives
English and Levin; Jane Dee Hull, Governor, Arizona; Raymond J. Uhalde, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Employment Training Administration, Department of Labor;
Garey Forster, Secretary, Department of Labor, Louisiana; and public
witnesses.
[Page: D138]
ACCRUAL BASIS TAXPAYERS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing to
review last year's repeal of the installment method of accounting for accrual
basis taxpayers. Testimony was heard from Joseph M. Mikrut, Tax Legislative
Counsel, Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses.
NSA
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on the NSA. Testimony was heard from departmental officials.
2000/03/01
Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 1, 2000; pages D142 - D150
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, held a hearing on Food,
Nutrition and Consumer Services. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the USDA: Shirley R. Watkins, Under Secretary; and Rajen Anand,
Executive Director, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the
Judiciary, on the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Commerce. Testimony
was heard from Madeline K. Albright, Secretary of State; and William M. Daley,
Secretary of Commerce.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on Fiscal
Year 2001 Department of Defense Budget Overview. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: William S. Cohen, Secretary;
and Gen. Henry Shelton, USA, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on the
Bureau of Land Management. Testimony was heard from Thomas A. Fry, Director,
Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Disease, the Fogarty International Center, the Human Genome
Research Institute, and the National Eye Institute. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the NIH, Department of Health and Human Services:
Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases; Gerald T. Keusch, M.D., Director, Fogarty International Center;
Francis Collins, M.D., D146Director, National Human Genome Research Institute;
and Karl Kupfer, M.D., Director, National Eye Institute.
[Page: D146]
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a hearing on
the Coast Guard. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Transportation: Adm. James Loy, USCG, Commandant, U.S. Coast
Guard; and Kenneth M. Mead, Inspector General.
VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on the Council on Environmental Quality, and Cemeterial
Expenses of the Army. Testimony was heard from George Frampton, Acting
Chairman, Council on Environmental Quality; and Joe Westphal, Assistant
Secretary, Civil Works, Department of the Army, Department of Defense.
REAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Readiness held a hearing
on Real Property Maintenance and Infrastructure funding. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the GAO: Neal P. Curtin, Associate Director;
and Brenda S. Farrell, Assistant Director; and the following officials of the
Department of Defense: Randall A. Yim, Deputy Under Secretary (Installations);
Maj. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, Jr., USA, Deputy Chief of Staff,
Installations and Housing, Department of the Army; Rear Adm. Louis M. Smith,
USN, Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command and Chief of Navy Civil
Engineers, and Maj. Gen. Harold Mashbum, Jr., USMC, Assistant Deputy Chief of
Staff, Installations and Logistics, U.S. Marine Corps, both with the
Department of the Navy; and Maj. Gen. Earnest O. Robbins II, USAF, Civil
Engineer, Department of the Air Force.
DEFENSEWIDE-RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Research and Development
held a hearing on defensewide research and development programs. Testimony was
heard from Jacques S. Gansler, Under Secretary, Acquisition and Technology,
Department of Defense.
DECIMAL CONVERSION 2000: ARE THE MARKETS READY
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials held a
hearing on Decimal Conversion 2000: Are the Markets Ready? Testimony was heard
from Davi M. D'Agostino, Acting Associate Director, Financial Institutions and
Markets Issues, GAO.
NATIONAL PRACTITIONER DATA BANK--PUBLIC ACCESS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a
hearing on Public Access to the National Practitioner Data Bank: What
Consumers Should Know About Their Doctors. Testimony was heard from Senator
Wyden; Claude Fox, Acting Administrator, Health Resources and Services
Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; Nancy Achin Sullivan,
Executive Director, Board of Registration in Medicine, State of Massachusetts;
Wayne Olsten, Director, Division of Health Care Standards and Surveillance,
Department of Health, State of New York; and public witnesses.
AMERICA'S SCHOOLS--CHARACTER EDUCATION ROLE
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth, and Families held a hearing on Building a Nation: The Role of Character
Education in America's Schools. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT--FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on Financial Management at the Department of
Education. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Education: Frank Holleman, Deputy Secretary; and Lorraine Lewis, Inspector
General; Gloria Jarmon, Director, Health, Education, and Human Services,
Accounting and Financial Management Issues, GAO; and a public witness.
"ROLE OF YAH LIN `CHARLIE' TRIE IN ILLEGAL POLITICAL FUNDRAISING"
Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing on "The Role of Yah Lin
`Charlie' Trie in Illegal Political Fundraising." Testimony was heard from Yah
Lin `Charlie' Trie.
OPEC--U.S. POLICY TOWARD
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on U.S. Policy Toward
OPEC. Testimony was heard from Bill Richardson, Secretary of Energy.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported H.R. 1443, Traffic Stops
Statistics Study Act of 1999.
[Page: D147]
The Committee began mark up of H.R. 2372, Private Property Rights
Implementation Act of 1999.
The Committee also approved Committee Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal
Year 2001 for submission to the Committee on the Budget.
VISA WAIVER PERMANENT PROGRAM ACT; PRIVATE BILLS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims approved
for full Committee action the Visa Waiver Permanent Program Act.
The Subcommittee also approved for full Committee action private bills.
COMMON SENSE PROTECTIONS FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 3160, Common Sense Protections
for Endangered Species Act. Testimony was heard from Marc Racicot, Governor,
State of Montana; Jamie Clark, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Department of the Interior; and Penelope D. Dalton, Director, National Marine
Fisheries Service, Department of Commerce.
ENERGY DEPARTMENT--BUDGET AUTHORIZATION REQUEST
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on
Fiscal Year 2001 Budget Authorization Request: Department of Energy, Offices
of Science; Environment, Safety and Health; and Environmental Management.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Energy:
James F. Decker, Acting Director, Office of Science; Dan M. Berkovitz, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Policy, Planning, and Budget, Office of Environmental
Management; and David M. Michaels, Assistant Secretary, Environment, Safety
and Health.
FAA BUDGET REVIEW
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing on FAA
Research and Development Fiscal Year 2001 Budget Review. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Department of Transportation: Steven
Zaidman, Associate Administrator, Research and Acquisitions, FAA; and Alexis
M. Stefani, Assistant Inspector General, Auditing; and public witnesses.
SBA REAUTHORIZATION AND BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on Small Business Administration
Reauthorization and Fiscal Year 2001 Budget Request. Testimony was heard from
Aida Alvarez, Administrator, SBA; and public witnesses.
FAA'S BUDGET REQUEST AND FUNDING NEEDS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation
concluded hearings on the FAA's Budget request and funding needs. Testimony
was heard from Jane F. Garvey, Administrator, FAA, Department of
Transportation; and public witnesses.
EVERGLADES AND SOUTH FLORIDA ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on restoration of the Everglades and
South Florida Ecosystem. Testimony was heard from Representatives Meek of
Florida, Deutsch and Foley, Joseph W. Westphal, Assistant Secretary of the
Army (Civil Works), Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army; Mary E. Doyle,
Counselor to the Secretary, Department of the Interior; David B. Struhs,
Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection, State of Florida; and
public witnesses.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS; FBI
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
consider pending business.
The Committee also met in executive session to hold a hearing on the FBI.
Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.
2000/03/02
Daily Digest - Thursday, March 2, 2000; pages D151 - D162
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Natural
Resources Conservation Service. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the USDA: James R. Lyons, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and
Environment; Pearlie S. Reed, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service;
and Stephen B. Dewhurst, Chief Budget Officer.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and
Judiciary held a hearing on the Bureau of Prisons. Testimony was heard from
D156Kathleen Hawk Sawyer, Director, Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice.
[Page: D156]
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing and Related Programs held a hearing on the Administration's Fiscal
Year 2001 Budget request for Export Financing and Related Programs. Testimony
was heard from James A. Harman, President and Chairman, Export-Import Bank;
George Munoz, President and CEO, Overseas Private Investment Corporation; and
J. Joseph Grandmaison, Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on the
Fish and Wildlife Service. Testimony was heard from Jamie Rappaport Clark,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the National Institute of Mental Health, the
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the National Institute of
Nursing Research. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the NIH,
Department of Health and Human Services: Steven E. Hyman, M.D., Director,
National Institute of Mental Health; Stephen E. Straus, M.D., Director,
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Kenneth Olden,
M.D., Director, National Institute of Environmental Health; and Patricia
Grady, M.D., Director, National Institute of Nursing Research.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction held a
hearing on Navy Construction and Army Construction. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Defense: Robert B. Pirie, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary, Installations and Environment; and Rear Adm. Louis M.
Smith, USN, Commander Naval Facilities Engineering Command, both with the
Department of the Navy; Mahlon Apgar, Assistant Secretary, Installations,
Logistics and Environment; and Maj. Gen. R. L. Van Antwerp, USA, Assistant
Chief of Staff, Installation Management, both with the Department of the Army.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a hearing on
Truck Safety. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Transportation: Kenneth M. Mead, Inspector General; and Julie
Anna Cirillo, Acting Deputy Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration; and Phyllis Scheinberg, Associate Director, Transportation
Issues, Resources, Community and Economic Developing Division, GAO.
VA, HUD, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on the American Battle Monuments Commission and the Chemical
Safety and Health Investigation Board. Testimony was heard from Gen., Fred
Worner, USA (Ret.), Chairman, American Battle Monuments Commission; and Gerald
V. Poje, member, Chemical Safety and Health Investigation Board.
ENERGY DEPARTMENT--REORGANIZATION AND REFORMS
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on implementation of Department of
Energy reorganization and reforms contained in Title XXXII of the Fiscal year
2000 National Defense Authorization Act. Testimony was heard from Bill
Richardson, Secretary of Energy.
ENERGY DEPARTMENT--EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY
ADMINISTRATION
Committee on Armed Services: Special Oversight Panel on Department of Energy
Reorganization held a hearing on the National Nuclear Security Administration,
Department of Energy. Testimony was heard from Gary L. Jones, Associate
Director, Energy, Resources and Science Issues, GAO; Morton Rosenberg.
Specialist in American Law, Congressional Research Service, Library of
Congress; and a public witness.
BUDGET REQUEST--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND MILITARY FAMILY HOUSING
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Installations and
Facilities held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2001 budget request for military
construction and military family housing of the Department of Defense.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
William Lynn, Under Secretary (Comptroller); Randall Yim, Deputy Under
Secretary (Installations); Mahlon Apgar, IV, Assistant Secretary of the Army
(Installations and Environment); Maj. Gen. Milton Hunter, D157USA, Director of
Military Programs, Corps of Engineers; Maj. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, Jr.,
USA, Assistant Chief of Staff, Installations Management; Maj. Gen. Thomas J.
Plewes, USA, Chief, Army Reserve; and Brig. Gen. Michael Squier, USA, Deputy
Director, Army National Guard, all with the Department of the Army.
[Page: D157]
MEMBERS DAY
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Members Day. Testimony was heard
from Representatives Skelton, Rohrabacher, Filner, and Kucinich.
REFORMULATED GASOLINE PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
on the national implementation of the reformulated gasoline program. Testimony
was heard from Representatives Franks of New Jersey and LaHood; Robert
Perciasepe, Assistant Administrator, Air and Radiation, EPA; Mark Mazur,
Director, Office of Policy, Department of Energy; Thomas Skinner, Director,
Environmental Protection Agency, State of Illinois; and public witnesses.
FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT--TREATMENT OF STOCK OPTIONS AND EMPLOYEE INVESTMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce
Protections held hearing on the Treatment of Stock Options and Employee
Investment Opportunities under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Testimony was
heard from T. Michael Kerr, Administrator, Wage and House Division, Department
of Labor; and public witnesses.
CHINA AND TIBET HUMAN RIGHTS
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Operations
and Human Rights held a hearing on Human Rights in China and Tibet. Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on Forest Service Planning Rule Revision. Testimony was
heard from Jim Furnish, Deputy Chief, Forest Service, USDA; and public
witnesses.
SAN RAFAEL WESTERN LEGACY DISTRICT AND NATIONAL CONSERVATION ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a
hearing on H.R. 3605, San Rafael Western Legacy District and National
Conservation Act. Testimony was heard from Molly McUsic, Counselor to the
Secretary, Department of the Interior; the following officials of the State of
Utah: Wilson Martin, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, Division of
State History, Preservation Office; and Courtland Nelson, Director, Division
of Parks and Recreation, Department of Natural Resources; and public
witnesses.
2000/03/06
Daily Digest - Monday, March 6, 2000; pages D163 - D166
Committee Meetings
CHARTER SCHOOLS: SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES
Committee on Education and the Workforce, On March 3, the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on Charter Schools: Successes
D165and Challenges. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
[Page: D165]
2000/03/07
Daily Digest - Tuesday, March 7, 2000; pages D167 - D172
Committee Meetings
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
2000/03/08
Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 8, 2000; pages D174 - D184
Committee Meetings
REVIEW--FOREST SERVICE BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight,
Nutrition and Forestry held a hearing to review the U.S. Forest Service budget
request for Fiscal Year 2001. Testimony was heard from Mike Dombeck, Chief,
Forest Service, USDA.
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Research,
Education and Extension. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the USDA: I. Miley Gonzalez, Under Secretary, Research, Education and
Economics; and Stephen B. Dewhurst, Director, Office of Budget and Program
Analysis.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and
Judiciary held a hearing on the Attorney General. Testimony was heard from
Janet Reno, Attorney General, Department of Justice.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on Fiscal
Year 2001 Air Force Budget Overview. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of the Air Force, Department of Defense: F.
Whitten Peters, Secretary; and Gen. Michael E. Ryan, USAF, Chief of Staff.
[Page: D179]
The Subcommittee also met in executive session to hold a hearing on Fiscal
Year 2001 Air Force Acquisition Program. Testimony was heard from Lawrence
Delaney, Assistant Secretary, the Air Force, Acquisition, Department of the
Air Force, Department of Defense.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development held
a hearing on the Secretary of Energy. Testimony was heard from Bill
Richardson, Secretary of Energy.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held an oversight
hearing on Bureau of Indian Affairs Reorganization/National Academy of Public
Administration Report, and a hearing on the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the
Smithsonian. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of the Interior: Kevin Gover, Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs;
and Thomas M. Thompson, Principal Deputy Special Trustee for American Indians,
Office of the Special Trustee; Larry Small, Secretary, Smithsonian
Institution; and public witnesses.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; Director, the NIH and the Office of
Director Panel. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the NIH,
Department of Health and Human Services: Ruth Kirschstein, M.D., Acting
Director; and Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Director, National Institute of Arthritis
and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
The Subcommittee also continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a hearing on
Federal Transit Capital Project. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Transportation: Raymond DeCarli, Deputy
Inspector General; and Nuria Fernandez, Acting Administrator, Federal Transit
Administration; Phyllis F. Scheinberg, Associate Director, Transportation
Issues, Resources, Community and Economic Development Division, GAO; Sergio
Gonzalez, Secretary of Transportation, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and public
witnesses.
VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Testimony
was heard from Andrew Cuomo, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
ALL VOLUNTEER FORCE AND RESERVE COMPONENT ISSUES
Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing
on Sustaining the All Volunteer Force and Reserve Component Issues. Testimony
was heard from Norman J. Rabkin, Director, National Security Preparedness
Issues, GAO; the following officials of the Department of Defense: Rudy de
Leon, Under Secretary, Personnel and Readiness; Charles L. Cragin, Principal
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Reserve Affairs; Lt. Gen. David H. Ohle, USA,
Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, U.S. Army; Vice Adm. Norbert Ryan, USN,
Chief, Naval Personnel, U.S. Navy; Lt. Gen. Donald L. Peterson, USAF, Deputy
Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force; Lt. Gen. Jack W. Klimp, USMC, Deputy Chief of
Staff, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, U.S. Marine Corps; Lt. Gen. Russell C.
Davis, USAF, Chief, National Guard Bureau; Maj. Gen. Roger C. Schultz, USA,
Director, Army National Guard; Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Plewes, USA, Chief, U.S.
Army Reserve; Rear Adm. John B. Totusek, USN, Director, U.S. Naval Reserve;
Maj. Gen. Paul A. Weaver, USAF, Director, Air National Guard; Maj. Gen. James
F. Sherrard III, USAF, Chief, Air Force Reserve and Commander, Air Force
Reserve Command; and Maj. Gen. David M. Mize, USMC, Commander, Marine Forces
Reserve; and Rear Adm. D. Dennis Sirois, USCG, Director, U.S. Coast Guard
Reserve, Department of Transportation.
INFORMATION SUPERIORITY AND INFORMATION ASSURANCE
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Readiness and the
Subcommittee on Research and Development held a joint hearing on information
superiority and information assurance. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: Art Money, Assistant Secretary
(Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence); Lt. Gen. John L.
Woodward, Jr., USA, Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computers
Systems, The Joint Staff; Lt. Gen. William H. Campbell, USA, Director,
Information Systems, Command, Control, and Computers, Department of the Army;
Rear Adm. Richard W. Mayo, USN, Director, Space, Information, Warfare, Command
and Control, Department of the Navy; Lt. D180Gen. William J. Donahue, USAF,
Director, Headquarters Communications and Information, Department of the Air
Force; and Brig. Gen. Robert Shea, USMC, Assistant Deputy Commandant, Command,
Control, Communications, and Intelligence, U.S. Marine Corps; Neal Lane,
Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, Office of Science and
Technology Policy; and John S. Tritak, Director, Critical Infrastructure
Assurance Office.
[Page: D180]
GLOBAL AIDS CRISIS
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing on the Global AIDS
crisis and pandemic in Africa, including H.R. 3519, World Bank AIDS Prevention
Trust Fund Act. Testimony was heard from Senator Kerry; Representative
Houghton; Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke, to the United Nations, Department
of State; Sandra L. Thurman, Director, White House Office of National AIDS
Policy; Timothy F. Geithner, Under Secretary (International Affairs),
Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses.
TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth, and Families held a hearing on Technology in Education. Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--2000 CENSUS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on the Census held an oversight
hearing of the 2000 Census: Status of Bureau Census Operations and Activities.
Testimony was heard from Kenneth Prewitt, Director, Bureau of the Census,
Department of Commerce.
COMBATING TERRORISM
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans'
Affairs and International Relations held a hearing on Combating Terrorism:
Management of Medical Stockpiles. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the GAO: Cynthia Bascetta, Associate Director, Veterans Affairs
and Military Health Issues; and Martin J. Eble, Senior Evaluator, Accounting
and Information Management Division; Frances Murphy, M.D., Acting Under
Secretary, Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs; the
following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Robert F.
Knouss, M.D., Office of Emergency Preparedness, Public Health Service; and
Stephen M. Ostroff, Associate Director, Epidemiologic Science, National Center
for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Col.
Carlos Hollifield, USMC, Commander, Chemical Biological Incident Response
Force, U.S. Marine Corps, Department of Defense.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Committee on House Administration: Met to consider pending business.
ASIA-U.S. SECURITY CONCERNS
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
held a hearing on U.S. Security Concerns in Asia. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Adm. Dennis Blair, USN,
Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command; and Franklin D. Kramer, Assistant
Secretary, International Security Affairs; and Rust Deming, Acting Assistant
Secretary, East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State.
HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES--COUNTRY REPORT
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Operations
and Human Rights held a hearing on Country Report on Human Rights Practices
for 1999. Testimony was heard from Harold Hongju Koh, Assistant Secretary,
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Department of State; and public
witnesses.
PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS IMPLEMENTATION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Continued markup of H.R. 2372, Private Property
Rights Implementation Act of 1999.
Will continue tomorrow.
TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims approved
for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 3244, Trafficking Victims
Protection Act of 1999.
WAGE AND EMPLOYMENT GROWTH ACT OF 1999; MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE
Committee on Rules: Granted by a vote of 7 to 3, a closed rule providing for
consideration of H.R. 3081, Wage and Employment Growth Act of 1999, in the
House without intervention of any point of order. The rule provides that the
bill be considered as read and that, in lieu of the amendment recommended by
the Committee on Ways and Means now printed in the bill, the text of H.R.
3832, Small Business Tax Fairness Act of 2000, shall be considered as adopted.
The rule provides two hours of debate equally divided and controlled by the
chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means. The
rule provides one motion to recommit H.R. 3081 with or without instructions.
Testimony D181was heard from Chairman Archer and Representatives Gutknecht,
Rangel, Bonior, Phelps, and Sandlin.
[Page: D181]
The rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 3846, A Bill to Increase the
Minimum Wage, in the House under a modified closed rule. The rule provides
that the bill be considered as read and shall be debatable for one hour
equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of
the Committee on Education and the Workforce. The rule provides for
consideration of the amendments printed in the Rules Committee report
accompanying the resolution, which shall be in order without intervention of
any point of order, except those arising under section 425 of the
Congressional Budget Act (prohibiting consideration of legislation containing
certain unfunded mandates). The rule provides that the amendments printed in
the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution may only be offered by
the Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, and shall be
separately debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and
controlled by the proponent and an opponent. The rule provides one motion to
recommit H.R. 3846 with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from
Chairman Goodling and Representatives Shimkus, Clay, and Kleczka
Finally, the rule provides that in the engrossment of H.R. 3081, the clerk
shall add the text of H.R. 3846, as passed by the House, as a new matter at
the end of H.R. 3081, after which H.R. 3846 shall be laid on the table.
IVANPAH VALLEY AIRPORT PUBLIC LANDS TRANSFER ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote an open rule on H.R. 1695, Ivanpah
Valley Airport Public Lands Transfer, providing one hour of general debate
equally divided between the chairman and ranking minority member of the
Committee on Resources. The rule waives all points of order against
consideration of the bill. The rule makes in order the Committee on Resources
amendment in the nature of a substitute now printed in the bill as an original
bill for the purpose of amendment, which shall be open for amendment at any
point. The rule waives all points of order against the committee amendment in
the nature of a substitute. The rule provides that the amendment printed in
the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying the resolution shall be
considered as read and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the
question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule authorizes
the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed
their amendments in the Congressional Record. The rule allows the Chairman of
the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill,
and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote
follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to
recommit with or without instructions. Act. Testimony was heard from
Representative Hansen and Gibbons.
CONFERENCE REPORT--COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE COMPETITION AND PRIVATIZATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote a rule waiving all points of order
against the conference report to accompany S. 376, Communications Satellite
Competition and Privatization Act, and against its consideration. Testimony
was heard from Chairman Bliley.
TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Ground
Transportation held a hearing on Implementation of the Transportation Equity
Act for the 21st Century by the Department of Transportation. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of Transportation:
Kenneth R. Wykle, Administrator; and Julie A. Cirillo, Acting Deputy
Administrator and Acting Chief Safety Officer, Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration, both with the Federal Highway Administration, Joline M.
Molitoris, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration; Kelley S. Coyner,
Administrator, Research and Special Programs Administration; Nuria Fernandez,
Acting Administrator, Federal Transit Administration; Nuria Fernandez, Acting
Administrator, Federal Transit Administration; and Rosalyn G. Millman, Acting
Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT PROPOSALS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment approved for full Committee action, as amended, the
following bills: H.R. 910, San Gabriel Basis Water Quality Initiative; and
H.R. 2328, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the
Clean Lakes Program.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on proposals for a Water Resources
Development Act of 2000. Testimony was heard from Representatives Pomeroy,
LaHood, McGovern and Bereuter.
[Page: D182]
KOSOVO
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on Kosovo. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.
2000/03/09
Daily Digest - Thursday, March 9, 2000; pages D185 - D198
Committee Meetings
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2000.
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Farm and
Foreign Agricultural Services. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the USDA: August Schumacher, Jr., Under Secretary, Farm and
Foreign Agricultural Services; Stephen Dewhurst, Budget Officer; and Hugh
Parmer, Assistant Administrator, Humanitarian Response, AID, Department of
State.
[Page: D191]
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and
Judiciary held a hearing on Department of State Administration of Foreign
Affairs. Testimony was heard from Bonnie Cohen, Under Secretary for
Management, Department of State.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on the
Forest Service. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA:
James Lyons, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment; and Michael
P. Dombeck, Chief, Forest Service.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the Secretary of Education. Testimony was
heard from Richard Riley, Secretary of Education.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction held a
hearing on Air Force Construction. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of the Air Force, Department of Defense: Ruby B.
DeMesme, Assistant Secretary, Manpower, Reserve Affairs, Installations and
Environment; and Maj. Gen. Earnest Robbins, USAF, Air Force Civil Engineer.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the
Treasury: James Johnson, Under Secretary, Law Enforcement; and Bradley A.
Buckles, Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, HUD and
Independent Agencies held a hearing on the Neighborhood Reinvestment
Corporation, and the Community Development Financial Institutions. Testimony
was heard from George Knight, Director, Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation;
and Ellen Lazar, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, Department
of the Treasury.
BUDGET REQUEST--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND MILITARY HOUSING PROGRAMS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Installations and
Facilities held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2001 budget request for the
military construction and military family housing programs of the Department
of Defense. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Defense: Robert B. Pirie, Jr., Assistant Secretary (Installations and
Environment), Rear Adm. Louis M. Smith, USN, Commander, Naval Facilities
Engineering Command; Maj. Gen. Harold Mashburn, USMC, Assistant Deputy Chief
of Staff (Installations and Logistics (Facilities), Headquarters, U.S. Marine
Corps; and Rear Adm. John G. Cotton, USN, Deputy Director, Naval Reserve, all
with the Department of the Navy; and Ruby B. Demesme, Assistant Secretary
(Manpower, Reserve Affairs, Installations, and Environment); Maj. Gen. Earnest
O. Robbins II, USAF, The Civil Engineer; Maj, Gen. Paul A. Weaver, Jr., USAF;
and Brig. Gen. Robert Duignan, USAF, Deputy to the Chief, Office of the Air
Force Reserve, all with the Department of the Air Force.
ARMY PROGRAMS AND TRANSFORMATION
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Procurement and the
Subcommittee on Military Research and Development held a joint hearing on Army
programs and transformation. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense; Paul J. Hoeper,
Assistant Secretary (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology); Mike Andrews,
Deputy Assistant Secretary (Research and Technology); and Lt. Gen. Paul Kern,
USA, Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition,
Logistics and Technology).
CIVILIAN PERSONNEL READINESS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Readiness and the
Subcommittee on Civil Service of the Committee on Government Reform held a
joint hearing on Civilian Personnel Readiness. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the GAO: Michael Brostek, Associate Director, Federal
Management and Workforce Issues; and Barry Holman, Associate Director, Defense
Management Issues; and the following officials of the Department of Defense:
Diane M. Disney, Deputy Assistant Secretary (Civilian Personnel Policy); David
L. Snyder, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Army (Civilian Personnel Policy); Betty
S. Welch, Deputy Assistant D192Secretary, Navy (Civilian Personnel/EEO); Mary
Lou Keener, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Air Force (Force Management and
Personnel); and David O. Cooke, Director, Administration and Management,
Office of the Secretary; and a public witness.
[Page: D192]
MONEY LAUNDERING
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing on Money
Laundering. Testimony was heard from Senator Schumer; Stuart Eizenstat, Deputy
Secretary, Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS--OIL MARKETS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a hearing on
price fluctuations in oil markets. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Moran of Kansas, Sherwood, Sweeney and Crowley; the following officials of the
Department of Energy: Mark Mazur, Director, Office of Policy; and John Cook,
Director, Petroleum Division, Energy Information Administration; Richard G.
Parker, Director, Bureau of Competition, FTC; and public witnesses.
FETAL TISSUE
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
on Fetal Tissue: Is It Being Bought and Sold in Violation of Federal Law?
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
The Subcommittee also adopted a resolution finding Miles Jones, M.D., in
Contempt of Congress and directing the Chairman to report such findings to the
full Committee for consideration.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3011, Truth in Billing
Act of 1999; and H.R. 3022, Rest of the Truth in Telephone Billing Act of
1999. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
ERISA REFORM PROPOSALS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Employer-Employee
Relations held a hearing on "A More Secure Retirement for Workers: Proposals
for ERISA Reform." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; ANTHRAX REPORT
Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R.
3699, designating that the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 3409 Lee Highway in Merrifield, Virginia, be known as the "Joel T.
Broyhill Postal Building"; H.R. 3701, designating the United States Postal
Service located at 3118 Washington Boulevard in Arlington, Virginia, be known
as the "Joseph L. Fisher Post Office Building"; H.R. 3030, to designate the
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 757 Warren Road in
Ithaca, New York, as the "Matthew F. McHugh Post Office"; and H.R. 3488, to
designate the United States Post Office located at 60 Third Avenue in Long
Branch, New Jersey, as the "Pat King Post Office Building".
The Committee also approved the following draft report entitled: "The
Department of Defense Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program: Unproven Force
Protection".
COMPUTER SECURITY
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing on "Computer Security: Are We
Prepared for Cyberwar?" Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of Commerce: John Tritak, Director, Critical Infrastructure
Assurance Office; and Karen Brown, Deputy Director, National Institute of
Standards and Technology; John Gilligan, Chief Information Officer, Department
of Energy; and public witnesses.
INTERNATIONAL POSTAL POLICY
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Postal Service held a hearing
on International Postal Policy. Testimony was heard from Bernard L. Ungar,
Director, Government Business Operations Issues, GAO; Ambassador Michael
Southwick, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Organization
Affairs, Department of State; T.S. Chung, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Services
Industry, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce; Joseph
Papovich, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative, Services, Investments, and
Intellectual Property, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; Elizabeth
Durant, Director, Trade Programs, U.S. Customs Service, Department of the
Treasury; Donna Patterson, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust
Division, Department of Justice; Robert Cohen, Director, Office of Rates,
Analysis and Planning, U.S. Postal Rate Commission; William J. Henderson,
Postmaster General and CEO, U.S. Postal Service; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; SOUTHEAST EUROPE--U.S. ASSISTANCE COMMITMENTS
Committee on International Relations: Favorably considered the following
resolutions and adopted a motion urging the Chairman to request that they be
considered on the Suspension Calendar: H. Res. 429, D193amended, expressing
the sense of the House of Representatives concerning the participation of the
extremist FPO in the government of Austria; and H. Res. 431, amended,
expressing support for humanitarian assistance to the Republic of Mozambique.
[Page: D193]
The Committee also held a hearing on U.S. Assistance Commitments in Southeast
Europe. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
State: Larry C. Napper, Coordinator, Eastern European Assistance; James
Pardew, Principal Deputy Special Advisor to the President and the Secretary of
State for Kosovo and Dayton Accords Implementation; and Daniel Hamilton,
Special Coordinator for Southeast Europe Stability Pact Implementation.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 2372, Private
Property Rights Implementation Act of 1999.
The Committee also began mark up of H.R. 1283, Fairness in Asbestos
Compensation Act of 1999.
Will continue March 14.
OVERSIGHT--PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property
held an oversight hearing on the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Testimony was heard from Q. Todd Dickinson, Assistant Secretary and
Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks, Department of Commerce; and public
witnesses.
INTERNET GAMBLING ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held a hearing on H.R. 3125,
Internet Gambling Prohibition Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from Senator
Kyl; Representative Goodlatte; Kevin DiGregory, Deputy Assistant Attorney
General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice; James E. Doyle, Attorney
General, State of Wisconsin; and public witnesses.
IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT AMENDMENTS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims approved
for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 238, to amend section 274 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act to impose mandatory minimum sentences, and
increase certain sentences, for bringing in and harboring certain aliens and
to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide enhanced penalties for
persons committing such offenses while armed.
OVERSIGHT--MAGNUSON-STEVENS CONSERVATION ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and
Oceans held an oversight hearing on the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
Act. Testimony was heard from Penelope Dalton, Assistant Administrator,
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce;
Clarence Pautzke, Executive Director, North Pacific Fishery Management
Council; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power approved for full
Committee action the following bills: H.R. 2647, Ak-Chin Water Use Amendments
Act of 1999; H.R. 3236, amended, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to
enter into contracts with the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, Utah.,
to use Weber Basin Project facilities for the impounding, storage, and
carriage of nonproject water for domestic, municipal, industrial and other
beneficial purposes; and H.R. 3577, to increase the amount authorized to be
appropriated for the north side pumping division of the Minidoka reclamation
project, Idaho.
CLIMATE CHANGE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on
Fiscal Year 2001 Climate Change Budget Authorization Request. Testimony was
heard from D. James Baker, Administrator, NOAA and Under Secretary, Oceans and
Atmosphere, Department of Commerce; Dan W. Reicher, Assistant Secretary,
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy; and Paul M.
Stolpman, Director, Office of Atmospheric Programs, Office of Air and
Radiation, EPA.
REVIEW BUDGET REQUESTS
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing to review the
Fiscal Year 2001 Budget Request for the Technology Administration/National
Institute of Standards and Technology, including Computer Security and
E-Commerce Initiatives. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of Commerce: Ray Kammer, Director and Cheryl Shavers, Under
Secretary, Technology Administration, both with the National Institute of
Standards and Technology; and Johnnie E. Frazier, Inspector General.
[Page: D194]
SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT CORRECTIONS ACT; SMALL BUSINESS REAUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Small Business: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 3845,
Small Business Investment Corrections Act of 2000; and H.R. 3843, Small
Business Reauthorization Act of 2000.
HOMELESS VETERANS' ISSUES
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Benefits and the Subcommittee
on Health held a joint hearing on homeless veterans' issues. Testimony was
heard from Tommy Thompson, Governor, State of Wisconsin; the following
officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Fran M. Murphy, M.D.,
Veterans Health Administration; and Henrietta Fishman, VISN 3, Homeless
Veterans Treatment Program; Fred Karnas, Jr., Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Special Needs Programs, Department of Housing and Urban Development;
Espiridion Borrego, Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and Training,
Department of Labor; Raymond G. Boland, Secretary, Department of Veterans
Affairs, State of Wisconsin; representatives of veterans organizations; and
public witnesses.
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION--FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on
Unemployment Compensation and the Family and Medical Leave Act. Testimony was
heard from Senator Gregg; Raymond J. Uhalde, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor; Christopher G.
Donovan, member, House of Representatives, State of Connecticut; and public
witnesses.
DCI BUDGET OVERVIEW
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on Fiscal Year 2001-DCI Budget Overview. Testimony was heard from
departmental witnesses.
2000/03/13
Daily Digest - Monday, March 13, 2000; pages D199 - D202
Committee Meetings
ERISA REFORM PROPOSALS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: On March 10, the Subcommittee on
Employer-Employee Relations concluded hearings on "A More Secure Retirement
for Workers: Proposals for ERISA Reform." Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
BIENNIAL BUDGETING
Committee on Rules: On March 10, the Committee continued hearings on Biennial
Budgeting: A Tool for Improving Government Fiscal Management and Oversight.
Testimony was heard from Jack Lew, Director, OMB; Dan Crippen, Director, CBO;
Sue Irving, Associate Director, Budget Issues, GAO; and Lou Fisher, Senior
Specialist, Separation of Powers, Congressional Research Service, Library of
Congress.
Hearings continue March 16.
ENERGY DEPARTMENT--BUDGET AUTHORIZATION REQUEST
Committee on Science: On March 10, the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment
continued hearings on Fiscal Year 2001 Budget Authorization Request:
Department of Energy--Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Fossil
Energy; and Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Energy: Dan W. Reicher, Assistant
Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; William D. Magwood, IV,
Director, Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology; and Robert S.
Kripowicz, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Fossil Energy.
SUPPORT TO MILITARY OPERATIONS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: On March 10, the Subcommittee on
Technical and Tactical Intelligence met in executive session to hold a hearing
on Support to Military Operations. Testimony was heard from departmental
witnesses.
2000/03/14
Daily Digest - Tuesday, March 14, 2000; pages D204 - D208
Committee Meetings
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on the
Department of Energy--Fossil Energy. Testimony was heard from Robert Gee,
Assistant Secretary, Fossil Energy, Department of Energy.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education continued appropriations hearings. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on the Customs Service and the Federal Law
Enforcement Training Center. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the Department of the Treasury: Raymond W. Kelly, Commissioner, U.S.
Customs Service; W. Ralph Basham, Director, Federal Law Enforcement Training
Center; and James E. Johnson, Under Secretary, Enforcement.
NAVY AND MARINE CORPS PROGRAMS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Procurement and the
Subcommittee on Military Research and Development held a joint hearing on Navy
and Marine Corps programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of Defense: Lee Buchanan, Assistant Secretary, Navy (Research,
Development and Acquisition); Vice Adm. Conrad Lautenbacher, USN, Deputy
Chief, Naval Operations (Resources, Warfare Requirements and Assessments); and
Lt. Gen. Michael Williams, USMC, Deputy Chief of Staff, Programs and
Resources, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
AMERICAN HOMEOWNERSHIP AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Ordered reported, as amended,
H.R. 1776, American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act of 2000.
NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION--SAFETY AND SECURITY
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power and the Subcommittee
on Oversight and Investigations held a joint hearing on safety and security of
the new National Nuclear Security Administration. Testimony was heard T. J.
Glauthier, Deputy Secretary, Department of Energy; Gary L. Jones, Associate
Director, Energy, Resources, and Science Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS MERGER ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on the Telecommunications Merger Act of 2000.
Testimony was heard from the following Commissioners of the FCC: Harold W.
Furchtgott-Roth; and Michael K. Powell; and a public witness.
OVERSIGHT--2000 CENSUS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on the Census held an oversight
hearing on the 2000 Census: Status of Key Operations. Testimony was heard from
J. Christopher Mihm, Acting Associate Director, Federal Management and
Workforce Issues, GAO.
HHS DRUG TREATMENT SUPPORT
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy
and Human Resources concluded hearings on HHS Drug Treatment Support: Is
SAMHSA Optimizing Resources? Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the Department of Health and Human Services: Nelba R. Chavez, M.D.,
Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; and
Alan I. Leshner, M.D., Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse.
OVERSIGHT--FOREST SERVICE ROAD MANAGEMENT POLICY
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on Forest Service Road Management Policy. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Forest Service, USDA: Michael P.
Dombeck, Chief; and Dale Bosworth, Regional Forester, Northern Region.
[Page: D206]
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a
hearing on H.R. 2557, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a
feasibility study on the inclusion in Biscayne National Park, Florida, of the
archaeological site known as the Miami Circle; and H.R. 3084, to authorize the
Secretary of the Interior to contribute funds for the establishment of an
interpretative center on the life and contributions of President Abraham
Lincoln. Testimony was heard from Representatives Meek of Florida, Shimkus and
LaHood; Terrel Emmons, Associate Director, Professional Services, National
Park Service, Department of the Interior; Susan Mogerman, Director, Historic
Preservation Agency, State of Illinois; and public witnesses.
SMALL BUSINESS REAUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing one hour of
general debate on H.R. 3843, Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000,
equally divided between the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on
Small Business. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of
the bill. The rule provides that the bill will be open for amendment by
section. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to
Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record .
The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes
during consideration of the bill, and to reduce voting time to five minutes on
a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. The rule
provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Finally, the
rule lays H. Res. 432 (providing for consideration of the conference report to
accompany S. 376) on the table. Testimony was heard from Chairman Talent and
Representative Velazquez.
WENDELL H. FORD AVIATION INVESTMENT AND REFORM ACT FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points of order
against the conference report to accompany H.R. 1000, Wendell H. Ford Aviation
Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century and against its consideration.
Testimony was heard from Chairman Shuster and Representatives Duncan,
Oberstar, and Lipinski.
VETERANS ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACT
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Government Programs and Oversight
and the Subcommittee on Benefits of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a
joint hearing with respect to Public Law 106-50, Veterans Entrepreneurship and
Small Business Development Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from Darryl
Dennis, Assistant Administrator, SBA; representatives of veterans
organizations; and public witnesses.
BUDGET REQUEST
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on fiscal Year 2001 JMIP/TIARA. Testimony was heard from departmental
witnesses.
2000/03/15
Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 15, 2000 ; pages D209 - D216
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Marketing
and Regulatory Programs. Testimony was heard from Michael Dunn, Under
Secretary, Marketing and Regulatory Programs, USDA.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and
Judiciary held a hearing on the Supreme Court and on State and Local Law
Enforcement. Testimony was heard from the following Justices of the Supreme
Court: David Souter; and Clarence Thomas; the following officials of the
Department of Justice: Mary Lou Leary, Acting Assistant Attorney General,
Office of Justice Programs; John J. Wilson, Acting Administrator, Office of
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; and Thomas C. Frazier, Director,
Office of Community Oriented Policing Services; and Alan Hantman, Architect of
the Capitol.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on Fiscal
Year 2001 Navy/Marine Corps Budget Overview. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Richard Danzig, Secretary of
the Navy; Adm. Jay L. Johnson, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; and Gen. James
L. Jones, USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps.
The Subcommittee also met in executive session to continue hearings on this
subject. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing and Related Programs held a hearing on the Secretary of State.
Testimony was heard from Madeleine K. Albright, Secretary of State.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on the
Woodrow Wilson Center, the Holocaust Museum, the Kennedy Center and on the
Secretary of Energy. Testimony was heard from Bill Richardson, Secretary of
Energy, Lee Hamilton, Director, Woodrow Wilson Center; Sara J. Bloomfield,
Director, National Holocaust Museum; and Laurence Wilker, President, Kennedy
Center for the Performing Arts.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on Vocational and Adult Education and Educational
Research and Improvement, and the Office of Higher Education/Office of Student
Financial Aid. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Education: Patricia W. McNeil, Assistant Secretary, Vocational
and Adult Education; and Cyril Kent McGuire, Assistant Secretary, Educational
Research and Improvement.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction held a
hearing on Family Housing Privatization. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Randall Yim, Deputy Under
Secretary, Installations; Mahlon Apgar IV, Assistant Secretary, Army,
Installations and Environment; Duncan Holaday, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Navy, Installations and Facilities; and Jim G. Dishner, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Air Force, Installations.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a hearing on
the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. Testimony was heard from Kenneth
M. Mead, Inspector General, Department of D211Transportation; Phyllis F.
Scheinberg, Associate Director, Transportation Issues, Resources, Community
and Economic Development Division, GAO; and George D. Warrington, President
and CEO, National Railroad Passenger Corporation.
[Page: D211]
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on the Secret Service and on the Financial
Crimes Enforcement Network. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the Department of the Treasury: Brian L. Stafford, Director, Financial
Crimes Enforcement Network; and Jim Sloan, Director, Financial Crimes
Enforcement Network.
VA, HUD, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on NASA. Testimony was heard from Daniel S. Goldin,
Administrator, NASA.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Armed Services: Continued hearings on the Fiscal Year 2001
National Defense authorization budget request, with emphasis on the regional
commanders. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Defense: Gen. Anthony C. Zinni, USMC, Commander in Chief, U.S. Central
Command; Adm. Dennis C. Blair, USN, Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command;
and Gen. Thomas A. Schwartz, USA, Commander in Chief, U.S. Forces Korea.
Hearings continue March 22.
MORALE, WELFARE AND RECREATION RESALE SYSTEMS AND PROGRAMS
Committee on Armed Services: Special Oversight Panel on Morale, Welfare and
Recreation held a hearing on morale, welfare and recreation resale systems and
programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Defense: Alphonso Maldon, Jr., Assistant Secretary (Force Management
Policy); Maj. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, USA, Assistant Chief of Staff
(Installation Management), Department of the Army; Vice Adm. James F.
Amerault, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Department of the Navy; Lt.
Gen. John W. Handy, USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff (Installations and Logistics),
Department of the Air Force; Lt. Gen. Jack W. Klimp, USMC, Deputy Chief of
Staff (Manpower and Reserve Affairs), Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; Maj.
Gen. Robert J. Courter, Jr., USAF, Director, Defense Commissary Agency; Maj.
Gen. Barry D. Bates, USA, Commander, Army and Air Force Exchange Service; Rear
Adm. Richard T. Ginman, USN, Commander, Navy Exchange Service Command; Phillip
G. Short, USMC (Ret), Director, Personal and Family Readiness Division,
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; Victor Vasquez, Jr., Deputy Assistant
Secretary (Personnel Support, Families and Education); Brig. Gen. Craig B.
Whelden, USA, Commander, U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center; Rear
Adm. James B. Hinkle, USN, Commander, Naval Personnel Command, Department of
the Navy; and Arthur J. Myers, Director, Air Force Services, Department of the
Air Force.
TRICARE--REMOVING BARRIERS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing
on removing the barriers to TRICARE. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: Rudy de Leon, Under Secretary,
Personnel and Readiness; Sue Bailey, Assistant Secretary, Health Affairs; H.
James T. Sears, M.D., Executive Director, TRICARE Management Activity; and
Adm. D.L. Pilling, USN, Vice Chief, Naval Operations; Stephen P. Backhus,
Director, Veterans' Affairs and Military Health Care Issues, GAO; and public
witnesses.
WORLD BANK AIDS PREVENTION TRUST FUND ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Ordered reported, as amended,
H.R. 3519, World Bank AIDS Prevention Trust Fund Act.
REAGAN LEGACY
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and
International Monetary Policy held a hearing on H.R. 3591, to provide for the
award of a gold medal on behalf of the Congress to former President Ronald
Reagan and his wife Nancy Reagan in recognition of their service to the
Nation. Testimony was heard from Representative Gibbons and former officials
of the Reagan Administration.
CONCURRENT BUDGET RESOLUTION FISCAL YEAR 2001
Committee on the Budget: Ordered reported the Concurrent Budget Resolution for
Fiscal Year 2001.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS REPORT
Committee on Commerce: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills: H.R.
1089, Mutual Fund Tax Awareness Act of 1999; and H.R. 1954, Rental Fairness
Act of 1999.
The Committee also approved a motion adopting a report finding Miles Jones,
M.D., in Contempt of D212Congress, and directed the Chairman to file the
report with the House and to take such action as may be necessary to bring the
report before the House for its consideration.
[Page: D212]
HCFA'S FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDIT RESULTS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing on the Results of the Health Care
Financing Administration's Fiscal Year 1999 Financial Statement Audit.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Health
and Human Services: June Gibbs Brown, Inspector General; and Michael M. Hash,
Deputy Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration; and Gloria L.
Jarmon, Director, Health, Education and Human Services, Accounting and
Financial Management Issues, Accounting and Information Management Division,
GAO.
AGENT ORANGE
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans'
Affairs and International Relations held a hearing on Agent Orange: Status of
the Air Force's Ranch Hand Study. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of GAO: Kwai Chan, Director, Special Studies and Evaluations; and
Weisueh Chiu, Project Manager, Agent Orange Study, National Security
International Affairs Division; the following officials of the Department of
Defense: Joel Michalek, Senior Principal Investigator, Ranch Hand Study; and
Richard Albanese, Senior Medical Research Officer, USAF; Robert J. Epley,
Director, Compensation and Pension Service Veterans' Benefits Administration,
Department of Veterans Affairs; and the following officials of the Department
of Health and Human Services: Ronald Coene, Executive Secretary, Ranch Hand
Advisory Committee, FDA; and David Butler, Study Director, Veterans and Agent
Orange Reports, Institute of Medicine; and public witnesses.
OIL PRICE REDUCTION ACT; ADMINISTRATION'S FOREIGN ASSISTANCE REQUEST
Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 3822,
Oil Price Reduction Act of 2000.
The Committee also held a hearing on the Administration's Fiscal Year 2001
Foreign Assistance Request. Testimony was heard from J. Brady Anderson,
Administrator, AID, Department of State.
NEW MILLENNIUM--U.S. AND LATIN AMERICA
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere held
a hearing on the U.S. and Latin America in the New Millennium: Outlook and
Priorities. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
FAIRNESS IN ASBESTOS COMPENSATION
Committee on the Judiciary: Continued markup of H.R. 1283, Fairness in
Asbestos Compensation Act of 1999.
Will continue tomorrow.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following measures: H. Con. Res.
89, recognizing the Hermann Monument and Hermann Heights Park in New Ulm,
Minnesota, as a national symbol of the contributions of Americans of German
heritage; H. Res. 182, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
that the National Park Service should take full advantage of support services
offered by the Department of Defense; H.R. 2958, to provide for the
continuation of higher education through the conveyance of certain public
lands in the State of Alaska to the University of Alaska; H.R. 3417, amended,
Pribilof Islands Transition Act, and H.R. 3671, amended, Wildlife and Sport
Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000.
PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS IMPLEMENTATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing 1 hour
of debate on H.R. 2372, Private Property Rights Improvement Act of 1999. The
rule makes in order the Committee on the Judiciary amendment in the nature of
a substitute now printed in the bill as an original bill for the purpose of
amendment. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules
Committee report accompanying the resolution. The rule provides that the
amendments made in order may be offered only in the order printed in the
report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be
considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified equally divided
and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to
amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question
in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of
order against the amendments printed in the report. The rule permits the
Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during consideration
of the bill, and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a postponed question
if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the rule provides D213one
motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Canady, Boehlert, Watt of North Carolina, Jackson-Lee of
Texas, Waters and Traficant.
[Page: D213]
NSF BUDGET AUTHORIZATION REQUEST
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Basic Research concluded hearings on
National Science Foundation Fiscal 2001 Budget Authorization Request, Part
III: A View from Outside NSF. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
STANDARDS CONFORMITY
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing on Standards
Conformity and the Federal Government: A Review of Section 12 of Public Law
104-113. Testimony was heard from Jim Wells, Director, Energy, Resources, and
Science Issues, GAO; Belinda Collins, Director, Office of Standards Services,
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce;
Gregory E. Saunders, Director, Defense Standardization Program Office,
Department of Defense; and Richard L. Black, Director, Office of Nuclear
Safety Policy and Standards, Department of Energy.
HELPING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on Helping Agricultural Producers
"Re-Grow" Rural America": Providing the Tools. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
U.S. COAST GUARD BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on the United States Coast Guard
Fiscal Year 2001 budget request. Testimony was heard from Representative
Stupak; John H. Anderson, Jr., Director, Transportation Issues, GAO; Thomas J.
Howard, Deputy Assistant Inspector General, Maritime and Departmental
Programs, Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic
Development, Public Buildings, Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation
approved for full Committee action the following: H.R. 938, to designate the
Federal building located at 290 Broadway in New York, New York, as the "Ronald
H. Brown Federal Building"; H.R. 1279, amended, to designate the Federal
building and United States post office located at 223 Sharkey Street in
Clarksdale, Mississippi, as the "Aaron E. Henry Federal Building and United
States Post Office"; H.R. 1605, amended, to designate the United States
courthouse building located at 402 North Walnut Street and Prospect Avenue in
Harrison, Arkansas, as the "J. Smith Henley Federal Building"; H.R. 2412, to
designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 1300
South Harrison Street in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as the "E. Ross Adair Federal
Building and the United States Courthouse"; H. Con. Res. 279, authorizing the
use of the Capitol Grounds for the 200th birthday celebration of the Library
of Congress; H. Con. Res. 280, authorizing the District of Columbia Special
Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run to be run through the Capitol Grounds; H.
Con. Res. 281, authorizing the use of the East Front of the Capitol Grounds
for performances by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; H.
Con. Res. 277, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater
Washington Soap Box Derby; and H. Con. Res. 278, authorizing the use of the
Capitol Grounds for the 19th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.
2000/03/16
Daily Digest - Thursday, March 16, 2000; pages D217 - D226
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, held a hearing on Chief
Information Officer. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
USDA: Joseph Leo, Chief Information Officer; and Pearlie S. Reed, Chairman,
National Food and Agriculture Council.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and
Judiciary held a hearing on the Small Business Administration. Testimony was
heard from Aida Alvarez, Administrator, SBA; and Louis J. Freeh, Director,
FBI, Department of Justice.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session
to hold a hearing on Ballistic Missile Defense. Testimony was heard from Lt.
Gen. Ronald T. Kadish, USAF, Director, Ballistic Missile Defense, Department
of Defense.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development held
a hearing on Department of Energy--Energy Resources and Science. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of Energy: James Decker,
Acting Director, Office of Science; Dan W. Reicher, Assistant Secretary,
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; and William D. Magwood, Director,
Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on the
Geological Survey. Testimony was heard from Charles G. Groat, Director, U.S.
Geological Survey, Department of the Interior.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on Howard University, Gallaudet University,
Special Institutions for the Disabled, and Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of Education: H. Patrick Swygert, President, Howard University;
I. King Jordan, President, Gallaudet University; Judith E. Heumann, Assistant
D219Secretary, Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Tuck Tinsley,
III, President, American Printing House for the Blind; and Robert R. Dilva,
Vice President, National Technical Institute for the Deaf.
[Page: D219]
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction held a
hearing on Family Housing Privatization. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on the IRS, and the Secretary of the
Treasury. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of the Treasury: Lawrence H. Summers, Secretary; and Charles O. Rossotti,
Commissioner, IRS.
VA, HUD, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on the EPA. Testimony was heard from Carol Browner,
Administrator, EPA.
NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Committee on Armed Services, Special Oversight Panel on Department of Energy
Reorganization, hearing on the National Nuclear Security Administration and
implementation of the provisions of Title XXXII. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Energy: T.J. Glauthier, Deputy
Secretary; David M. Klaus, Director, Office of Management and Administration,
Brig. Gen. Thomas F. Gioconda, USAF, Acting Deputy Administrator, Defense
Programs; Adm. F.L. Bowman, USN, Deputy Director, Naval Reactors and Rose E.
Gottemoeller, Acting Deputy Administrator, Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation,
all with the National Nuclear Security Administration.
MILITARY HOUSING PRIVATIZATION INITIATIVE
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Installations and
Facilities held a hearing on the implementation of the Military Housing
Privatization Initiative, utilities infrastructure privatization, and asset
management practices of the military departments. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Randall Yim, Deputy Under
Secretary (Installations); Mahlon Apgar IV, Assistant Secretary, Army
(Installations and Environment); Duncan Holaday, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Navy (Installations); and Jimmy Dishner, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Air
Force.
AIR FORCE PROGRAMS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Procurement and the
Subcommittee on Military Research and Development held a joint hearing on Air
Force programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of the Air Force, Department of Defense: Lawrence J. Delaney,
Assistant Secretary (Acquisition); and Lt. Gen. Stephen Plummer, USAF,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (Acquisition).
HEDGE FUND DISCLOSURE ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets
Securities and Government-Sponsored Enterprises approved for full Committee
action, as amended, H.R. 2924, Hedge Fund Disclosure Act.
Prior to this action, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 2924. Testimony
was heard from Lee Sachs, Assistant Secretary, Financial Markets, Department
of the Treasury.
NATIONAL PRACTITIONER DATA BANK--ASSESSING THE OPERATION
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a
hearing on Assessing the Operation of the National Practitioner Data Bank.
Testimony was heard from Tom Croft, Director, Division of Quality Assurance,
Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human
Services.
RURAL LOCAL BROADCAST SIGNAL ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on H.R. 3615, Rural Local Broadcast Signal Act.
Testimony was heard from Representative Goodlatte; Dan L. Crippen, Director,
CBO; Roger C. Viadero, Inspector General, USDA; and public witnesses.
WEALTH THROUGH THE WORKPLACE ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Employer-Employee
Relations held a hearing on H.R. 3462, Wealth Through the Workplace Act of
1999. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
"FEDERAL ACQUISITION: WHY ARE BILLIONS BEING WASTED"
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing on "Federal Acquisition: Why
D220are Billions Being Wasted?" Testimony was heard from Henry L. Hinton, Jr.,
Assistant Comptroller General, National Security and International Division,
GAO: the following officials of the Department of Defense: Robert J.
Lieberman, Assistant Inspector, Audits; and Stan Z. Soloway, Deputy Under
Secretary, Acquisition Reform; Deidre Lee, Director, Office of Federal
Procurement Policy, OMB; and public witnesses.
[Page: D220]
NORTH KOREA
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on North Korea:
Leveraging Uncertainty? Testimony was heard from Wendy R. Sherman, Counselor,
Department of State; and public witnesses.
AFRICA'S ENERGY POTENTIAL
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa held a hearing on
Africa's Energy Potential. Testimony was heard from Calvin Humphrey, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, International Affairs, Department of Energy; and a public
witness.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 1283, Fairness
in Asbestos Compensation Act of 1999.
The Committee also began markup of H.R. 1304, Quality Health-Care Coalition
Act of 1999.
Will continue March 22.
FEDERAL PRISONER HEALTH CARE COPAYMENT ACT; PRESIDENTIAL THREAT PROTECTION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime approved for full Committee
action, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 1349, Federal Prisoner Health
Care Copayment Act of 1999; and H.R. 3048, Presidential Threat Protection Act
of 1999.
OVERSIGHT--BUDGET REQUESTS
Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an
oversight hearing on Fiscal Year 2001 Budget requests for the following
Department of the Interior Agencies: Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and
Enforcement; Minerals Management Service; energy and minerals programs of the
Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Geological Survey, except water
resources programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of the Interior: Kathy Karpan, Director, Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement; Walt Rosenbusch, Director, Minerals Management
Service; Nina Rose Hatfield, Deputy Director, Bureau of Land Management; and
P. Patrick Leahy, Chief Geologist, U.S. Geographical Survey.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 2941, Las Cienegas National Conservation
Area Establishment Act of 1999; H.R. 3676, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto
Mountains National Mountains National Monument Act of 2000; and H.R. 3293, to
amend the law that authorized the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to authorize the
placement within the site of the memorial of a plaque to honor those Vietnam
veterans who died after their service in the Vietnam war, but as a direct
result of that service. Testimony was heard from Representatives Kolbe,
Pastor, Bono and Gallegly; the following officials of the Department of the
Interior: Bruce Babbitt, Secretary; and John Parsons, Associate Director,
Lands, Resources, and Planning, National Capitol Region, National Park
Service; and public witnesses.
BIENNIAL BUDGETING
Committee on Rules: Continued hearings on Biennial Budgeting: A Tool for
Improving Government Fiscal Management and Oversight. Testimony was heard from
Lee Hamiltoon, Director, Woodrow Wilson Center; and public witnesses.
ENERGY DEPARTMENT--BUDGET AUTHORIZATION REQUEST
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment continued
hearings on the Fiscal Year 2001 Budget Authorization Request: Department of
Energy Offices of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Fossil Energy; and
Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Energy: Dan W. Reicher, Assistant Secretary,
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Robert S. Kripowicz, Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Fossil Energy and William D. Magwood, IV, Director,
Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology.
NASA BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on
NASA Fiscal Year 2001 Budget Request for Human Spaceflight. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of NASA: Joseph Rothenberg, Associate
Administrator, Human Spaceflight; Roberta Gross, Inspector General; and Henry
McDonald, Director, Ames Research Center; and Allen Li, Associate Director,
National Security and International Affairs Division, GAO.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported the following
measures: H.R. 3903, to deem the vessel M/V Mist Cove to be less than 100
D221gross tons, as measured under chapter 145 of title 46, United States Code;
H.R. 910, amended, San Gabriel Basis Water Quality Initiative; H.R. 1775,
amended, Estuary Habitat Restoration Partnership Act of 1999; H.R. 2328,
amended, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the
Clean Lakes Program; H.R. 3039, Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act of 1999; H.R.
938, to designate the Federal building located at 290 Broadway in New York,
New York, as the "Ronald H. Brown Federal Building"; H.R. 1279, amended, to
designate the Federal building and United States post office located at 223
Sharkey Street in Clarksdale, Mississippi, as the "Aaron E. Henry Federal
Building and United States Post Office"; H.R. 1605, amended, to designate the
United States courthouse building located at 402 North Walnut Street and
Prospect Avenue in Harrison, Arkansas, as the "J. Smith Henley Federal
Building"; H.R. 2412, to designate the Federal building and United States
courthouse located at 1300 South Harrison Street in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as
the "E. Ross Adair Federal Building and the United States Courthouse"; H. Con.
Res. 279, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 200th birthday
celebration of the Library of Congress; H. Con. Res. 280, authorizing the
District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run to be run
through the Capitol Grounds; H. Con. Res. 281, authorizing the use of the East
Front of the Capitol Grounds for performances by the John F. Kennedy Center
for the Performing Arts; H. Con. Res. 277, authorizing the use of the Capitol
Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby; H. Con. Res. 278,
authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 19th annual National Peace
Officers' Memorial Service; and H.R. 809, amended, Federal Protective Service
Reform Act of 1999.
[Page: D221]
The Committee also approved 5 Corps of Engineers Survey Resolutions.
RETENTION OF SCREENERS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on Aviation Security, focusing on Training and Retention of
Screeners. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Transportation: Alexis M. Stefani, Assistant Inspector General, Auditing;
and Adm. Cathal Flynn, USN, Associate Administrator, Civil Aviation Security,
FAA; Gerald L. Dillingham, Associate Director, Transportation Issues, GAO; and
public witnesses.
LOAN GUARANTY SERVICE--VETERANS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing on the Department of Veterans Affair's Loan Guaranty Service.
Testimony was heard from Representative Ackerman; the following officials of
the Department of Veterans Affairs: Michael Slachta, Jr., Assistant Inspector
General, Auditing; and Keith Pedigo, Director, Loan Guaranty Service,
Veterans' Benefits Administration; and representatives of veterans
organizations.
COMPASSION FOR CHILDREN AND CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT ACT
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on
H.R. 1488, Compassion for Children and Child Support Enforcement Act of 1999.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Hyde and Woolsey; Jeffrey Cohen,
Director, Office of Child Support, State of Vermont; Nick Young, Director,
Child Support Enforcement Division, State of Virginia; and public witnesses.
BABY BOOMER BENEFICIARIES--SOCIAL SECURITY READINESS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security continued
hearings to examine Social Security's readiness for the impending wave of Baby
Boomer beneficiaries. Testimony was heard from Kenneth S. Apfel, Commissioner,
SSA; and public witnesses.
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE PROGRAM BUDGET
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on Fiscal Year 2001 Central Intelligence Program Budget. Testimony was
heard from departmental witnesses.
2000/03/20
Daily Digest - Monday, March 20, 2000; pages D227 - D230
Committee Meetings
SUSTAINING ALL VOLUNTEER FORCE
Committee on Armed Services: On March 17, the Subcommittee on Military
Personnel held a hearing on sustaining the All Volunteer Force. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Rudy de Leon,
Under Secretary (Personnel and Readiness); Lt. Gen. David H. Ohle, USA, Deputy
Chief of Staff, Personnel, Department of the Army; Vice Adm. Norbert Ryan,
USN, Chief of Naval Personnel, Department of the Navy; Lt. Gen. Donald L.
Peterson, USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff, Department of the Air Force; and Lt.
Gen. Jack W. Klimp, USMC, Deputy Chief of Staff (Manpower and Reserve
Affairs), Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
2000/03/21
Daily Digest - Tuesday, March 21, 2000; pages D231 - D238
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Food
Safety and Inspection Service. Testimony was heard from Catherine Wotecki,
Under Secretary, Agriculture, Food Safety, USDA.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the District of Columbia held a
hearing on DC Public Schools (including Charter Schools). Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the District of Columbia Financial
Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority: Alice M. Rivlin, Chair;
and Constance B. Newman, Vice Chair; and the following officials of schools of
the District of Columbia: Arlene Ackerman, Superintendent; Josephine Baker,
Chair, DC Public Charter School Board; and Malcolm Peabody, Chair, PC Public
Charter School Coalition.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations : Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
held a hearing on Department of Energy-Nuclear Waste Management and Disposal.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Energy:
Carolyn L. Huntoon, Assistant Secretary, Environmental Management; and Ivan
Itkin, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management.
[Page: D235]
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
VA, HUD, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Consumer
Information Center. Testimony was heard from Anne Brown, Chairman, Consumer
Product Safety Commission; and Teresa N. Nasif, Director, Federal Consumer
Information Center.
DEFENSE PROGRAMS--ENERGY DEPARTMENT BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Armed Services : Subcommittee on Military Procurement held a
hearing on the Department of Energy Fiscal Year 2001 Budget request (defense
programs) and related matters. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Energy: T. J. Glauthier, Deputy Secretary;
Carolyn L. Huntoon, Assistant Secretary, Environmental Management; Brig. Gen.
Thomas F. Gioconda, USAF, Acting Deputy Administrator, Defense Programs and
Rose E. Gottemoeller, Acting Deputy Administrator, Defense Nuclear
Nonproliferation, both with the National Nuclear Security Administration.
MARGIN LENDING
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and
International Monetary Policy held a hearing on Margin Lending. Testimony was
heard from Senator Schumer; and public witnesses.
USDA'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AUDIT RESULTS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing on "Results of the Department of
Agriculture's Fiscal Year 1999 Financial Statements Audit". Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the USDA: Roger Viadero, Inspector
General; and Sally Thompson, Chief Financial Officer; and Linda Calbom,
Director, Resources, Community, and Economic Development, Accounting and
Financial Management Issues, Accounting and Information Management Division,
GAO.
OVERSIGHT--PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held an oversight
hearing on Private Property Rights and Telecommunications Policy. Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.
NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY AMENDMENTS ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule providing one hour
of debate in the House on S. 1287, Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of
2000, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on Commerce. The rule provides one motion to commit.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Upton, Gibbons, Dingell, Markey,
Traficant, Kucinich, and Berkley.
OIL PRICE REDUCTION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a modified open rule providing one
hour of general debate on H.R. 3822, Oil Price Reduction Act of 2000, equally
divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the
Committee on International Relations. The rule makes in order the Committee on
International Relations amendment in the nature of a substitute now printed in
the bill as an original bill for the purpose of amendment, modified by
striking subsection 6(c). The rule provides that the bill should be open for
amendment by section. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in
the Congressional Record and pro forma amendments for the purpose of debate.
The rule provides that each amendment printed in the Congressional Record may
be offered only by the Member who caused it to be printed or his designee, and
that each amendment shall be considered as read. The rule allows the Chairman
of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the
bill and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a postponed question if the
vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to
recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman
Gilman and Representatives Kasich, Shays, Hobson, Collins, Gejdenson, Markey,
Sanders, Traficant, Baldacci, Larson and Inslee.
FEDERAL FUEL TAX REDUCTION--IMPACT ON TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Ground
Transportation held a hearing on the Impact on Transportation Programs of
Reducing the Federal Fuel Tax. Testimony was heard from Peter J. Basso,
Assistant Secretary, Budget and D236Programs and Chief Financial Officer,
Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.
[Page: D236]
TAX INCENTIVES--ASSIST DISTRESSED COMMUNITIES
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on Tax
Incentives to Assist Distressed Communities. Testimony was heard from Jonathan
Talisman, Acting Assistant Secretary, Tax Policy, Department of the Treasury;
Xavier Romeu, Secretary, Department of Economic Development, Puerto Rico; and
public witnesses.
NATIONAL IMAGERY AND MAPPING PROGRAM BUDGET
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on Fiscal Year 2001 National Imagery and Mapping Program Budget.
Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.
2000/03/22
Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 22, 2000; pages D239 - D250
Committee Meetings
U.S. GRAIN STANDARDS ACT REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Resource
Conservation, and Credit held a hearing to review the reauthorization of the
United States Grain Standards Act. Testimony was heard from James R. Baker,
Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA;
and public witnesses.
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Rural
Development. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA:
Jill Long-Thompson, Under Secretary, Rural Development; Christopher A. McLean,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service; James C. Kearney, Administrator, Rural
Housing Service; Dayton J. Watkins, Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative
Service; and Stephen B. Dewhurst, Budget Officer.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and
Judiciary, held a hearing on Federal Judiciary and on Immigration and
Naturalization Service. Testimony was heard from John G. Heyburn, Judge, U.S.
District Court, Kentucky; Robert C. Broomfield, Judge, U.S. District Court,
Arizona; Leonidas Ralph Mecham, Director, Administrative Office of the Courts;
and Fern M. Smith, Judge, U.S. District Court, California, Director, Federal
Judicial Center.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense, met in executive session
to hold a hearing on Fiscal Year 2001 Intelligence Budget. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Lt. Gen. Michael V.
Hayden, USAF, Director, National Security Agency; Lt. Gen. James C. King, USA,
Director, National Imagery and Mapping Agency; and Keith Hall, Director,
National Reconnaissance Office; and the following officials of the CIA: George
J. Tenet, Director; and Joan A. Dempsey, Deputy Director, Community
Management.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on
Presidio Trust and on Department of Energy--Energy Information Administration.
Testimony was heard from James E. Meadows, Executive Director, Presidio Trust;
and Jay E. Hakes, Administrator, Energy Information Administration, Department
of Energy.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education, held a hearing on Pension Agencies; Bureau of Labor Statistics
and the Secretary of Labor. Testimony was heard D245from the following
officials of the Department of Labor: Alexis Herman, Secretary; Katherine G.
Abraham, Bureau of Labor Statistics; and Alan D. Lebowitz, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Program Operations, Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration;
and David M. Strauss, Executive Director, Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation; .
[Page: D245]
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a hearing on
Aviation. Testimony was heard from Jim Hall, Chairman, National Transportation
Safety Board; and the following officials of the Department of Transportation:
Kenneth M. Mead, Inspector General; and Jane F. Garvey, Administrator, FAA.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on Federal Election Commission. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Federal Election Commission:
Darryl R. Wold, Chairman; and Danny L. McDonald, Vice Chairman.
VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies,
held a hearing on the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Testimony was heard from
Togo West, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Armed Services: Continued hearings on the Fiscal year 2001
National Defense authorization budget request. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Louis Caldera, Secretary of
the Army; Richard Danzig, Secretary of the Navy; and F. Whitten Peters,
Secretary of the Air Force.
HOUSING FINANCE REGULATORY IMPROVEMENT ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets,
Securities, and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing on improving
the regulation of the housing Government Sponsored Enterprises, focusing on
H.R. 3703, Housing Finance Regulatory Improvement Act. Testimony was heard
from Gary Gensler, Under Secretary, Domestic Finance, Department of the
Treasury; the following officials of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development: William Apgar, Assistant Secretary, Housing; and Armando Falcon,
Director, Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight; and Bruce A.
Morrision, Chairman, Federal Housing Finance Board.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 3383, to amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to remove
separate treatment or exemption for nuclear safety violations by nonprofit
institutions; H.R. 3906, to ensure that the Department of Energy has
appropriate mechanisms to independently assess the effectiveness of its policy
and site performance in the areas of safeguards and security and cyber
security; and H.R. 3907, External Regulation of the Department of Energy Act.
Testimony was heard from Mary Anne Sullivan, General Counsel, Department of
Energy; Richard A. Meserve, Chairman, NRC; Jerrold R. Mande, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of
Labor; John T. Conway, Chairman, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board; Gary
Jones, Associate Director, Energy, Resources, and Science Issues, GAO; Charles
V. Shank, Director, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; and public
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Civil Service approved for
full Committee action, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 4040, Long-Term
Care Security Act; and H.R. 2842, Federal Employees Health Benefits Children's
Equity Act of 1999.
HUD'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AUDIT RESULTS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing on "Results of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development's Fiscal Year 1999 Financial Statements Audit".
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Housing
and Urban Development: Susan Gaffney, Inspector General; and Saul Ramirez,
Deputy Secretary.
COMBATING TERRORISM
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans'
Affairs and International Relations held a hearing on Combating Terrorism:
Coordination of Nonmedical Research and Development Programs. Testimony was
heard from Kwai-Cheung Chan, Director, National Security and International
Affairs Division, GAO; Carmen J. Spencer, Director, Chemical and Biological
Defense, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Department of Defense; D246Page O.
Stoutland, Director, Chemical and Biological Nonproliferation Program,
Department of Energy; and the following officials of the FBI, Department of
Justice: Donald M. Kerr, Assistant Director, FBI Laboratory; and Robert
Burnham, Section Chief, Domestic Terrorism-Counter Terrorism Planning.
[Page: D246]
INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION ACT
Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 2909,
Intercountry Adoption Act of 1999.
REAFFIRMING U.S. POLICY TOWARD TAIWAN AND THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
approved for full Committee action H. Con. Res. 292, congratulating
President-elect Chen Shui-bian and Vice President-elect Annette Lu of Taiwan
and reaffirming United States policy toward Taiwan and the People's Republic
of China.
EXPORT ADMINISTRATION'S FUTURE
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Economic
Policy and Trade held a hearing on the Future of the Export Administration
Act-Part 1. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
FREE MARKET ANTITRUST IMMUNITY REFORM ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Held a hearing on H.R. 3138, Free Market Antitrust
Immunity Reform (FAIR) Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Federal Maritime Commission: Harold J. Creel, Jr., Chairman;
and Delmond J.H. Won, Commissioner; John Nannes, Deputy Assistant Attorney
General, Antitrust Division, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.
IMMIGRATION SERVICES AND IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT BUREAUS WITHIN JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims approved
for full Committee action H.R. 3918, to establish the Bureau of Immigration
Services and the Bureau of Immigration Enforcement within the Department of
Justice.
CONCURRENT BUDGET RESOLUTION
Committee on Rules: granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing three
hours of general debate on H. Con. Res. 290, establishing the congressional
budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2001, revising the
congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2000,
and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for each of fiscal years 2002
through 2005, with two hours equally divided and controlled by the chairman
and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Budget and one hour on
economic goals and policies equally divided and controlled by Representative
Saxton and Representative Stark. The rule waives clause 4(a) of rule XIII
(requiring a three-day layover of the committee report) against consideration
of the resolution. The rule makes in order the amendment in the nature of a
substitute printed in Part A of the Rules Committee report as an original
concurrent resolution for the purpose of amendment. The rule waives all points
of order against the amendment printed in Part A of the Rules Committee
report.
The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in Part B of the Rules
Committee report which may be offered only in the order printed in the report,
may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered
as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally
divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, and shall not be
subject to amendment. The rule waives all points of order against the
amendments except that, if an amendment in the nature of a substitute is
adopted, it is not in order to consider further substitutes. The rule
provides, upon the conclusion of consideration of the concurrent resolution
for amendment, for a final period of general debate not to exceed 10 minutes
equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of
the Committee on the Budget. The rule permits the Chairman of the Committee on
the Budget to offer amendments in the House to achieve mathematical
consistency. Finally, the rule suspends the application of House Rule XXIII
(relating to the establishment of the statutory limit on the public debt) with
respect to the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2001.
Testimony was heard from Chairman Kasich and Representatives Gekas, Spratt,
Thompson, Markey, Holt, Stenholm, Tanner, Clyburn and Tierney.
GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS ACT AND LEGISLATIVE PROCESS OF HOUSE
COMMITTEES
Committee on Rules: Subcommittee on Rules and Organization held a hearing on
the Government Performance and Results Act and the Legislative Process of
House Committees. Testimony was heard from Representative Horn; David Walker,
Comptroller, GAO; Joshua Gotbaum, Executive Associate Director and Controller,
Office of Financial Management, OMB; and a public witness.
[Page: D247]
EPA'S SLUDGE RULE
Committee on Science: Held a hearing on EPA's Sludge Rule: Closed Minds or
Open Debate. Testimony was heard from J. Charles Fox, Assistant Administrator,
Office of Water, EPA; and public witnesses.
NASA'S BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on
NASA's Fiscal Year 2001 Budget Request: Life and Microgravity Research.
Testimony was heard from Arnauld Nicogossian, Associate Administrator, Office
of Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications, NASA; Richard Hodes,
Director, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Department of Health and Human
Services; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic
Development, Public Buildings, Hazardous Materials, and Pipeline
Transportation, approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R.
3171, amended, National Health Museum Site Selection Act; H.R. 3069, amended,
Southeast Federal Center Public-Private Development Act of 2000; H.R. 1359,
amended, to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse to be
constructed at 10 East Commerce Street in Youngstown, Ohio, as the "Frank J.
Battisti and Nathaniel R. Jones Federal Building and United States
Courthouse"; and S. 1567, to designate the United States courthouse located at
223 Broad Street in Albany, Georgia, as the "C.B. King United States
Courthouse."
PROGRAM DATA QUALITY
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Oversight,
Investigations, and Emergency Management held a hearing on Program Data
Quality. Testimony was heard from J. Christopher Mihm, Associate Director,
Federal Management and Workforce Issues, GAO; the following officials of the
Department of Transportation: Raymond DeCarli, Deputy Inspector General; and
Peter Basso, Assistant Secretary, Budget and Programs/Chief Financial Officer;
the following officials of the GSA: Eugene L. Waszily, Assistant Inspector
General, Auditing; and William C. Piatt, Chief Information Officer; and the
following officials of the EPA: Nikki L. Tinsley, Inspector General; and
Margaret N. Schneider, Assistant Administrator, Environmental Information.
ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSALS--WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on the Administration's proposals for
a Water Resources Development Act of 2000. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of the Army: Joseph W. Westphal,
Assistant Secretary (Civil Works); and Lt. Gen. Joe N. Ballard, USA, Chief of
Engineers.
EDUCATION SAVINGS AND SCHOOL EXCELLENCE ACT
Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 7, Education
Savings and School Excellence Act of 1999.
2000/03/23
Daily Digest - Thursday, March 23, 2000; pages D252 - D264
Committee Meetings
FREEDOM TO E-FILE ACT
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight,
Nutrition, and Forestry approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R.
852, Freedom to E-File Act.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and
Judiciary held a hearing on Drug Enforcement. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Justice: Donnie Marshall,
Administrator, DEA; James K. Robinson, Assistant Attorney General, Criminal
Division; and Mary H. Murguia, Director, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys.
The Subcommittee also continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard
from Members of Congress.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on Army
budget overview. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense, Department of the Army: Louis Caldera, Secretary; and
Gen. Eric K. Shinseki, USA, Chief of Staff.
The Subcommittee also met in executive session to hold a hearing on Army
acquisitions. Testimony was heard from Paul J. Hoeper, Assistant Secretary,
Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, Department of the Army, Department of
Defense.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the District of Columbia held a
hearing on Corrections and Related Activities. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the government of the District of Columbia: John L.
Clark, Corrections Trustee; John A. Carver, Trustee, Court Services and
Offender Supervision; and Cynthia Jones, Director, Public Defender Service.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development met
in executive session to hold a hearing on Department of Energy--Atomic Energy
Defense Activities. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Energy: Gen. Eugene E. Habiger, USAF, Director, Security and
Emergency Operations; and Brig. Gen. Thomas F. Gioconda, USAF, Acting Deputy
Administrator, Defense Programs; and Rose Gottemoeller, Deputy Administrator,
Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, both with the National Nuclear Security
Administration.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on the
National Endowment for the Humanities and on National Endowment for the Arts.
Testimony was heard from William Ferris, Chairman, National Endowment for the
Humanities; and Bill Ivey, Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on Employment and Training
Administration/Veterans Employment; Employment Standards Administration;
Occupational Safety and Health Administration; and Mine Safety and Health
Administration. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Labor: Raymond L. Bramucci, Assistant Secretary, Employment and
Training Administration; Bernard Anderson, Assistant Secretary, Employment and
Training Administration; Charles N. Jeffress, Assistant Secretary, OSHA; and
Davitt McAteer, Assistant Secretary, Mine Safety and Health.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on Office of National Drug Control Policy
and on the Executive Office of the President. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Executive Office of the President: Barry McCaffrey,
Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy; and Michael Lyle, Director,
Office of Administration.
[Page: D258]
VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development: Saul Ramirez, Jr., Deputy Secretary; Dave Gibbons, Budget
Officer; Cardell Cooper, Assistant Secretary, Community Planning and
Development; Harold Lucas, Assistant Secretary, Public and Indian Housing; Eva
Plaza, Assistant Secretary, Fair Housing; William Apgar, Assistant Secretary,
Housing, FHA Commissioner; Hal DeCell, Assistant Secretary, Legislation; Susan
Wachter, Assistant Secretary, Policy Development and Research; and Joe Smith,
Assistant Secretary, Administration.
U.S. POLICY TOWARDS COLOMBIA
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on U.S. policy towards Colombia.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
Brian Sheridan, Assistant Secretary (Special Operations and Low-Intensity
Conflict); Gen. Charles E. Wilhelm, USMC, Commander in Chief, U.S. Southern
Command; and Rand Beers, Assistant Secretary (International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs).
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL ARCHITECTURE
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing on International
Financial Architecture. Testimony was heard from Lawrence H. Summers,
Secretary of the Treasury; and public witnesses.
MEDICARE PROGRAM--PATIENT ACCESS TO SELF-INJECTABLE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
on Patient Access to Self-injectable Prescription Drugs in the Medicare
Program. Testimony was heard from Michael Hash, Deputy Administrator, Health
Care Financing Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; and
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 3615,
amended, Rural Local Broadcast Signal Act; H.R. 3113, amended, Unsolicited
Electronic Mail Act of 1999; and H.R. 3439, Radio Broadcasting Preservation
Act of 1999.
"MISSING WHITE HOUSE E-MAILS: MISMANAGEMENT OF SUBPOENAED RECORDS"
Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing on "Missing White House
E-Mails: Mismanagement of Subpoenaed Records". Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Executive Office of the President: Daniel Barry,
Computer Specialist, Office of Administration; and Mark Lindsay, Assistant to
the President and Director of White House Management and Administration; Laura
Crabtree, Chief Information Officer, Department of Labor; and public
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; U.S. POLICY TOWARD IRAQ
Committee on International Relations: Favorably considered the following
resolutions and adopted a motion urging the Chairman to request that they be
considered on the Suspension Calendar: H. Con. Res. 292, amended,
congratulating President-elect Chen Shui-bian and Vice President-elect Annette
Lu of Taiwan and reaffirming United States policy toward Taiwan and the
People's Republic of China; and H.R. 3707, amended, American Institute in
Taiwan Facilities Enhancement Act.
The Committee also held a hearing on U.S. Policy Toward Iraq. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of State: C. David Welch,
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Organization Affairs; and A.
Elizabeth Jones, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern
Affairs; and Alina Romanowski, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Near Eastern and
South Asian Affairs.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT--ITEM VETO
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing on
H.J. Res. 9, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States
to allow an item veto of appropriation bills. Testimony was heard from
Representatives English and Baldacci; Louis Fisher, Senior Specialist in
Separation of Powers, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress; and
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property
approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 4034, United
States and Trademark Office Reauthorization Act; and H.R. 2100, amended,
Antitampering Act of 1999.
[Page: D259]
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 2810, Violent Offender DNA Identification Act; H.R.
3087, DNA Backlog Elimination Act; and H.R. 3375, Convicted Offender DNA Index
System Support Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Gilman, Weiner,
Kennedy of Rhode Island, and Bishop; the following officials of the Department
of Justice: Dwight E. Adams, Deputy Assistant Director, Laboratory Division,
FBI; and David G. Boyd, Director, Office of Science and Technology, National
Institute of Justice; David Coffman, Crime Laboratory Analyst Supervisor,
Investigation and Forensics Program Area, Department of Law Enforcement,
Florida; Paul B. Ferrara, Director, Division of Forensic Science, Department
of Criminal Justice Services, Florida; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; OVERSIGHT--FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans, approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 2090,
Exploration of the Seas Act; and H.R. 3919, Coral Reef Conservation and
Restoration Partnership Act of 2000.
The Subcommittee also held an oversight hearing on the Fiscal Year 2001 budget
recommendations for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Testimony was heard
from Jamie Rappaport Clark, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Department of the Interior.
CABIN USER FEE FAIRNESS ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a
hearing on H.R. 3327,Cabin User Fee Fairness Act of 1999. Testimony was heard
from Representative Nethercutt; Paul Brouha, Associate Deputy Chief, National
Forest System, Forest Service, USDA; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands
approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 1500, Americas'
Wilderness Protection Act; H.R. 1509, to authorize the Disabled Veterans' LIFE
Memorial Foundation to establish a memorial in the District of Columbia or its
environs to honor veterans who became disabled while serving in the Armed
Forces of the United States; H.R. 1864, amended, Public Hearing
Standardization Act of 1999; H.R. 2932, amended, Golden Spike/Crossroads of
the West National Heritage Area Act of 1999; H.R. 3293, amended, to amend the
law that authorized the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to authorize the placement
within the site of the memorial of a plaque to honor those Vietnam veterans
who died after their service in the Vietnam war, but as a direct result of
that service; and H.R. 3605, amended, San Rafael Western Legacy District and
National Conservation Act.
EPA'S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BUDGET
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on
Fiscal Year 2001 Budget Authorization Request: Environmental Protection Agency
Science and Technology Budget. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the EPA: Norine Noonan, Assistant Administrator, Office of
Research and Development; and W. Randall Seeker, Chairman, Research Strategies
Advisory Committee, Science Advisory Board; and David G. Wood, Associate
Director, Environmental Protection Issues, Resources, Community, and Economic
Development Division, GAO.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported the following
bills: H.R. 3069, amended, Southeast Federal Center Public-Private Development
Act of 2000; H.R. 3171, amended, National Health Museum Site Selection Act;
H.R. 1359, to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse to
be constructed at 10 East Commerce Street in Youngstown, Ohio, as the "Frank
J. Battisti and Nathaniel R. Jones Federal Building and United States
Courthouse"; S. 1567, amended, to designate the United States courthouse
located at 223 Broad Street in Albany, Georgia, as the "C.B. King United
States Courthouse"; and H.R. 4052, Transportation and Infrastructure Reports
Restoration Act of 2000.
GSA'S CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAM
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic
Development, Public Buildings, Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation
held a hearing on GSA's Fiscal Year 2001 Capital Investment Programs.
Testimony was heard from Representatives English, Clement, Radanovich, Neal,
Scott, Taylor of Mississippi, Reyes, Quinn, LaFalce and Skretny; Jane E. Roth,
Chairwoman, Space of Facilities Committee, Judicial Conference, U.S. Court of
Appeals; Harry T. Edwards, Chief Judge, U.S. Courts of Appeals; the following
Chief Judges of the U.S. District Court: Terry J. Hatter, Jr., Edward B.
Davis, and John E. Conway; and public witnesses.
VETERANS' LEGISLATION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Benefits held a hearing on the
Department of Veterans D260Affairs obligation to assist veterans in filing
claims for benefits, and H.R. 3193, Duty to Assist Veterans Act of 1999.
Testimony was heard from Joseph Thompson, Under Secretary, Benefits, Veterans
Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and representatives
of veterans organizations.
[Page: D260]
CHILD PROTECTION ISSUES
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on
Child Protection Issues. Testimony was heard from Senators DeWine and
Rockefeller; Representative Pryce of Ohio; Kristine Ragaglia, Commissioner,
Department of Children and Families, State of Connecticut; and public
witnesses.
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFICIARIES--WORK INCENTIVES FOR BLIND AND DISABLED
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing on
Work Incentives for Blind and Disabled Social Security Beneficiaries.
Testimony was heard from: Representative Ehrlich; Susan Daniels, Deputy
Commissioner, Disability and Income Security Program, SSA; Barbara Bovbjerg,
Associate Director, Education, Workforce and Income Security Issues, Health,
Education and Human Services Division, GAO; and public witnesses.
INTELLIGENCE MATTERS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold
hearings on the National Security Agency Legal Authorities and on the
Consolidated Cryptologic Program. Testimony was heard from departmental
witnesses.
2000/03/27
Daily Digest - Monday, March 27, 2000; pages D266 - D270
Committee Meetings
ENERGY DEPARTMENT'S PROPOSED BUDGET
Committee on Commerce: On March 24, the Subcommittee on Energy and Power held
a hearing on the Department of Energy's Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2001.
Testimony was heard from T. J. Glauthier, Deputy Secretary, Department of
Energy.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE SECTOR CIO'S--KEY DIFFERENCES
Committee on Government Reform: On March 24, the Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information, and Technology held a hearing on "Key Differences
Between Public-Private-Sector CIO'S". Testimony was heard from Dave McClure,
Associate Director, Governmentwide and Defense Information Systems, GAO; James
J. Flyzik, Chief Information Officer; Department of the Treasury; Otto Doll,
Commissioner, Bureau of Information and Technology, State of Arizona; and
public witnesses.
2000/03/28
Daily Digest - Tuesday, March 28, 2000; pages D271 - D278
Committee Meetings
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development held
a hearing on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense: Lt.
Gen. Joe N. Ballard, USA, Commanding General; and Maj. Gen. Hans A. Van
Winkle, USA, both with the Corps of Engineers; and Joseph Westphal, Assistant
Secretary.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held an oversight
hearing on Forest Service Research. Testimony was heard from Robert L. Lewis,
Deputy Chief, Forest Service, USDA; and public witnesses.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education, held a hearing on Departmental Management Panel and Inspectors
General Panel and on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the National
Labor Relations Board. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Energy: Frank S. Holleman, Deputy Secretary; and Lorraine Lewis,
Inspector General; the following officials of the Department of Labor:
Patricia W. Lattimore, Assistant Secretary, Administration and Management; and
Patricia A. Dalton, Acting Inspector General; the following officials of the
Department of Health and Human Services: John J. Callahan, Assistant
Secretary, Management and Budget; and June Gibbs Brown, Inspector General; the
following officials of the SSA: William A. Halter, Deputy Commissioner; and
James G. Huse, Jr., Inspector General; the following officials of the Railroad
Retirement Board: Kenneth P. Boehne, Chief Financial Officer; and Martin J.
Dickman, Inspector General; Robert T. Coonrod, President and CEO, Corporation
for Public Broadcasting; and John C. Truesdale, Chairman, NLRB.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on Office of Management and Budget, and on
National Archives. Testimony was heard from Jacob J. Lew, Director, OMB; and
John W. Carlin, Archivist, National Archives and Records Administration.
VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on Selective Service System, on Office of Science and
Technology Policy, and on National Credit Union Association. Testimony was
heard from Gil Coronado, Director, Selective Service System; Neal Lane,
Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy; and Norman E. D'Amours,
Chairman, National Credit Union Association.
MONEY PRODUCTION AND PROTECTION
Committee on Banking and Finance: Subcommittee on Domestic and International
Monetary Policy held a hearing on the Production and Protection of Money.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the
Treasury: Thomas A. Ferguson, Director, Bureau of Engraving and Printing;
Bruce Townsend, Counterfeiting Head, U.S. Secret Service; and John Mitchell,
Deputy Director, U.S. Mint; Louise Roseman, Director, Operations and Payments
Systems, Federal Reserve Banks, Federal Reserve System; and Philip Diehl,
former Director, U.S. Mint, Department of the Treasury.
TEAMSTERS--ONE YEAR AFTER ELECTING JAMES P. HOFFA
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on "The International Brotherhood of Teamsters
One Year After the Election of James P. Hoffa". Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters: James P.
Hoffa, President; Patrick Szymanski, General Counsel; and Edward Steir,
Consultant.
MUNITIONS LIST EXPORT LICENSING
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on Munitions List Export
Licensing Issues. Testimony was heard from John D. Holum, Senior Advisor, Arms
Control and International Security, Department of State.
ABANDONED MINE RESTORATION ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a
hearing on H.R. 2753, Abandoned Mine Restoration Act of 1999. Testimony was
heard from Charles R. Smith, Assistant, Environment and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of the Assistant Secretary, Civil Works, Department of the Army,
Department of Defense; Alan Coyner, Administrator, Division of Minerals, State
of Nevada; and public witnesses.
[Page: D276]
NOAA/NMFS BUDGET REQUEST OVERSIGHT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans, held an oversight hearing on the Administration's Budget Request for
NOAA/NMFS for Fiscal Year 2001. Testimony was heard from D. James Baker, Under
Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA, Department of Commerce.
OVERSIGHT--CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES CONFERENCE
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans held an oversight hearing on the Eleventh Meeting of the Conference of
the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora. Testimony was heard from Don Barry, Assistant Secretary,
Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior.
DILLONWOOD GIANT SEQUOIA GROVE EXPANSION ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a
hearing on H.R. 4021, Dillonwood Giant Sequoia Grove Park Expansion Act.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Radanovich, Thomas and Dooley of
California; and Randle G. Phillips, Deputy Chief, Programs and Legislation,
Forest Service, USDA.
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule on H.R. 3908, making
supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2000,
providing one hour of general debate equally divided between the Chairman and
ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives
all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule waives points
of order against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of
rule XXI (prohibiting unauthorized appropriations or legislative provisions in
a general appropriations bill) except as specified in the rule. The rule
provides, prior to the consideration of any other amendment, for consideration
of the amendments printed in Part A of the Rules Committee report which may be
offered only in the order printed in the report. The rule provides for
consideration of the amendments printed in Part B of the Report which may be
offered only at the appropriate point in the reading of the bill. The rule
provides that amendments printed in the Rules Committee report may be offered
only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall
be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and
controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to
amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question
in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of
order against the amendments printed in the Rules Committee report. Testimony
was heard from Chairman Young of Florida, Lewis of California, Goodling,
Bereuter, Kasich, Shays, Weldon of Pennsylvania, Ramstad, Campbell, Camp,
Bachus, Smith of Michigan, Hoekstra, Largent, Sanford, Hutchinson, Schaffer,
Isakson, Obey, Murtha, Hoyer, Kaptur, Pelosi, DeLauro, Hinchey, Farr, Frank of
Massachusetts, Sawyer, Taylor of Mississippi, Waters, Stupak, Wynn, Delahunt,
and Wu.
BRIDGING THE TECHNOLOGICAL GAP: COMBATING DIGITAL DIVIDE
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Empowerment held a hearing on
Bridging the Technological Gap: Initiatives to Combat the Digital Divide.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
2000 RETURN FILING SEASON AND IRS FY 2001 BUDGET
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on the
2000 Tax Return Filing Season and the IRS Budget for Fiscal Year 2001.
Testimony was heard from Charles O. Rossotti, Commissioner, IRS, Department of
the Treasury; James R. White. Director, Tax Policy and Administration Issues,
General Government Division, GAO; and public witnesses.
NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAM BUDGET
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on National Reconnaissance Program Budget (NRO, etc.) Testimony was
heard from departmental witnesses.
2000/03/29
Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 29, 2000; pages D280 - D288
Committee Meetings
FREEDOM TO E-FILE ACT; FEDERAL FARM POLICY REVIEW
Committee on Agriculture: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 852, Freedom to
E-File Act.
The Committee also held a hearing to review federal farm policy. Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the
Judiciary held a hearing on the FCC. Testimony was heard from William E.
Kennard, Chairman, FCC.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense continued appropriation
hearings. Testimony was heard from Representatives Kilpatrick, Baca, and
Roemer; and public witnesses.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on the
National Park Service. Testimony was heard from Robert Stanton, Director,
National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the Railroad Retirement Board, the Institute
of Museum and Library Services, the National Education Goals Panel, and the
Armed Forces Retirement Home. Testimony was heard from Cherryl T. Thomas,
Chair, Railroad Retirement Board; Beverly Sheppard, Acting Director, Institute
of Museum and Library Services, National Foundation on the Arts and the
Humanities; Ken Nelson, Executive Director, National Education Goals Panel;
and David F. Lacy, CEO/Chairman of the Board, Armed Forces Retirement Home.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on the GSA and the Administrative Office of
the Courts. Testimony was heard from David Barram, Administrator, GSA; and
Jane R. Roth, Judge, U.S. Court, Third District.
VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on the EPA. Testimony was heard from various Assistant
Administrators of the EPA.
BUSINESS CHECKING MODERNIZATION ACT
Committee on Banking and Finance: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4067,
Business Checking Modernization Act. D285
RADIO BROADCASTING PRESERVATION ACT; RURAL LOCAL BROADCAST SIGNAL ACT
Committee on Commerce: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 3439, Radio
Broadcasting Preservation Act of 1999.
The Committee also began markup of H.R. 3615, Rural Local Broadcast Signal
Act.
NEW ELECTRONIC MARKET COMPETITION
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials held a
hearing on Competition in the New Electronic Market: Part 1. Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.
EEO DATA AND COMPLAINT PROCESSING PROBLEMS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Civil Service held a hearing
on EEO Data and Complaint Processing Problems. Testimony was heard from
Representative Wynn; Carlton Hadden, Acting Director, Federal Operations,
EEOC; Michael Brostek, Associate Director, Federal Management and Workforce
Issues, GAO; Cynthia Hallberlin, Chief Counsel, Alternative Dispute Resolution
Program, National Program Manager of REDRESS, U.S. Postal Service; Roger
Blanchard, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, USAF, Department of
Defense; and a public witness.
ENHANCING COMPUTER SECURITY
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing on Enhancing Computer Security:
What Tools Work Best?" Testimony was heard from Jack Brock, Director,
Governmentwide and Defense Information Systems, GAO; Dave Nelson, Deputy Chief
Information Officer, NASA; and a public witness.
FCC AUTHORIZATION
Committee on House Administration: Held a hearing on the Federal Election
Commission authorization. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the FEC: Darryl Wold, Chairman; Danny Lee McDonald, Vice Chairman, and
Chairman, Finance Committee; and David Mason, Commissioner.
OIL INDUSTRY SOLUTIONS TO COMPETITIVE PROBLEMS
Committee on the Judiciary: Held an oversight hearing on Solutions to
Competitive Problems in the Oil Industry. Testimony was heard from Senators
Murkowski and Campbell; Representatives Gilman, Sanders, Markey and Weygand;
Rich Parker, Director, Bureau of Competition, FTC; Mike Fisher, Attorney
General, State of Pennsylvania; and public witnesses.
Hearings continue April 7.
EDUCATION SAVINGS AND SCHOOL EXCELLENCE ACT
Committee on Rules: Testimony was heard from Chairman Archer and
Representatives Johnson of Connecticut, Hulshof, Rangel and Jefferson on H.R.
7, Education Savings and School Excellence Act of 1999.
NOAA AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on
Fiscal Year 2001 Budget Authorization Request: NOAA. Testimony was heard from
D. James Baker, Administrator, NOAA, and Under Secretary, Oceans and
Atmosphere, Department of Commerce; Joel C. Willemssen, Director, Civil
Agencies Information Systems, Accounting and Information Management Division,
GAO; and Steven J. Brown, Deputy Associate Administrator, Air Traffic
Services, FAA, Department of Transportation.
OVERSIGHT--COAST GUARD ICEBREAKING MISSION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held an oversight hearing on the Coast Guard
icebreaking mission. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation: Rear Adm. Ernest R. Riutta,
USCG, Assistant Commandant, Operations; and Chief Warrant Officer Richard W.
Glasgow, USCG, Coast Guard Activities, New York; and public witnesses.
INTELLIGENCE MATTERS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on Fiscal Year 2001 Tasking, Processing Exploitation, and
Dissemination (TPED, etc.). Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.
2000/03/30
Daily Digest - Thursday, March 30, 2000; pages D289 - D298
Committee Meetings
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the
Judiciary, held a hearing on SEC. Testimony was heard from Arthur Levitt,
Chairman, SEC.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing and Related Programs continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was
heard from Members of Congress and public witnesses.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education, on the Corporation for National and Community Service; and
National Mediation Board. Testimony was heard from Ernest W. DuBester,
Chairman, National Mediation Board.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 2335, Hydroelectric Licensing Process Improvement Act of
1999; H.R. 1262, to provide that existing facilities located on the Pentwater
River in Michigan, are not required to be licensed by the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission under part 1 of the Federal Power Act; H.R. 3852, to
extend the deadline for D294commencement of construction of a hydroelectric
project in the State of Alabama; S. 422, to provide for Alaska state
jurisdiction over small hydroelectric projects; S. 334, to amend the Federal
Power Act to remove the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission to license projects on fresh waters in the State of Hawaii; S.
1236, to extend the deadline under the Federal Power Act for commencement of
the construction of the Arrowrock Dam Hydroelectric Project in the State of
Idaho; and S. 1937, to amend the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and
Conservation Act to provide for sales of electricity by the Bonneville Power
Administration to join operating entities. Testimony was heard from Senator
Murkowski; Representative Radanovich; the following officials of the
Department of Energy: James J. Hoecker, Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission; and Allen Burns, Vice President, Requirements Marketing,
Bonneville Power Administration; John D. Leshy, Solicitor, Department of the
Interior; Penelope D. Dalton, Assistant Administrator, Fisheries, National
Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce; Paul Brouha, Associate
Deputy Chief, Forest Service, USDA; and public witnesses.
[Page: D294]
FY 2001 EPA PROPOSED BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials and the
Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a joint hearing on the EPA's
Proposed Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2001. Testimony was heard from Robert
Perciasepe, Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation, EPA.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; "MISSING WHITE HOUSE E-MAILS: MISMANAGEMENT OF
SUBPOENAED RECORDS
Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported, as amended, the following
bills: H.R. 4040, Long-Term Care Security Act; and H.R. 2842, Federal
Employees Health Benefits Children's Equity Act of 1999.
The Committee also concluded hearings on "Missing White House E-Mails:
Mismanagement of Subpoenaed Records". Testimony was heard from Beth Nolan,
Counsel to the President; and Robert Raben, Assistant Attorney General,
Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 1304,
amended, Quality Health-Care Coalition Act of 1999; H.R. 371, Hmong Veteran's
Naturalization Act of 1999; and two private relief bills.
The Committee also began markup of H.R. 3767, Visa Waiver Permanent Program
Act.
Will continue April 4.
BOUNTY HUNTER RESPONSIBILITY ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing on
H.R. 2964, Bounty Hunter Responsibility Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Hutchinson and Deutsch; and public witnesses.
MILITARY EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held a hearing on H.R. 3380,
Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Defense: Robert Reed, Office of
the General Counsel and Office of the Secretary; Brig. Gen. Joseph R. Barnes,
USA, Office of the Judge Advocate General; and Brig. Gen. James R. Smith,
USAF, Commander, 18th Fighter Wing; Roger Pauley, Director of Legislation,
Office of Policy and Legislation, Department of Justice; and a public witness.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3176, to direct the
Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine ways of restoring
the natural wetlands conditions in the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge,
Hawaii; and H.R. 3292, to provide for the establishment of the Cat Island
National Wildlife Refuge in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. Testimony was
heard from Representatives Mink of Hawaii and Baker; Daniel Ashe, Assistant
Director, Refuges and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of
the Interior; and a public witness.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, and Public Lands held
a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 2919, National Underground Railroad
Freedom Center Act; and H.R. 3241, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to
recalculate the franchise fee owed by Fort Sumter Tours, Inc., a concessioner
providing service to Fort Sumter National Monument in South Carolina.
Testimony was heard from Senator DeWine; Representatives Sanford, Portman and
Jones of Ohio; Denis Galvin, Deputy Director, National Park Service,
Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
[Page: D295]
OVERSIGHT--CVP OPERATIONS/CALFED PROGRAM
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight
hearing on California Central Valley Project (CVP) Operations and the CALFED
Program. Testimony was heard from David Hayes, Deputy Secretary, Department of
the Interior; Tom Hannigan, Director, Department of Water Resources, State of
California; and public witnesses.
HEALTHCARE'S CHANGING FACE--ELECTRONIC AGE
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing on the
Changing Face of Healthcare in the Electronic Age. Testimony was heard from
Raymond Kammer, Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology,
Department of Commerce; and public witnesses.
WORLD TRADE CENTER'S FUTURE
Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the Future of the World Trade
Organization. Testimony was heard from Jesse Ventura, Governor, State of
Minnesota; and public witnesses.
SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM INTEGRITY ACTIVITIES
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing on
Social Security Program Integrity Activities. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the SSA: William A. Halter, Deputy Commissioner; and
James G. Huse, Jr., Inspector General.
ENDEAVOR SHUTTLE MISSION ASTRONAUTS BRIEFING; FY 2001 GENERAL DEFENSE
INTELLIGENCE PROGRAM BUDGET
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
briefing with the Endeavor Shuttle Mission Astronauts. The Committee was
briefed by the Astronauts.
The Committee also met in executive session for a hearing on Fiscal Year 2001
General Defense Intelligence Program Budget (DIA, S&T Centers, etc.).
Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.
2000/04/03
Daily Digest - Monday, April 3, 2000; pages D299 - D304
Committee Meetings
"ARE THE FINANCIAL RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RELIABLE"
Committee on Government Reform: On March 31, the Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information, and Technology held a hearing on "Are the Financial
Records of the Federal Government Reliable." Testimony was heard from David M.
Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; Joshua Gotbaum, Controller, Office of
Federal Financial Management, OMB; and Donald V. Hammond, Fiscal Assistant
Secretary, Department of the Treasury.
WILDLIFE AND SPORT FISH RESTORATION PROGRAMS IMPROVEMENT ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote, an open rule on H.R. 3671, Wildlife
and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000, providing one
hour of general debate equally divided between the chairman and ranking
minority member of the Committee on Resources. The rule waives clause 4(a) of
rule XIII (requiring a three-day layover of the committee report) against
consideration of the bill. The rule makes in order the Committee on Resources
amendment in the nature of a substitute, now printed in the bill, as an
original bill for the purpose of amendment, which shall be open for amendment
at any point. The rule waives clause 4 of rule XXI (prohibiting appropriations
in a legislative bill) against the committee amendment in the nature of a
substitute. The rule provides that the amendment printed in the report of the
Committee on Rules accompanying the resolution shall be considered as read,
shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a
division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The
rule waives all points of order against the amendment printed in the report.
The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who
have pre-printed their amendment in the Congressional Record. The rule permits
the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during
consideration of the bill, and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a
postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the
rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony
was heard from Chairman Young of Alaska.
ORGAN PROCUREMENT AND TRANSPLANTATION NETWORK AMENDMENTS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule on H.R. 2418,
Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Amendments of 1999, providing
one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and
ranking minority member of the Committee on Commerce. The rule makes in order
the Committee on Commerce amendment in the nature of a substitute now printed
in the bill as an original bill for the purpose of amendment. The rule makes
in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report which may
be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a
Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be
debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled
by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall
not be subject to a demand for a division of the question in the House or in
the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of order against the
amendments printed in the report. The rule permits the Chairman of the
Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill, and
to reduce voting time to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote
follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to
recommit with or without instructions. Testimony D302was heard from Chairman
Bliley and Representatives LaHood, Peterson of Pennsylvania, Dingell, Rush,
DeGette, Barrett of Wisconsin, Luther, and Moakley.
2000/04/04
Daily Digest - Tuesday, April 4, 2000; pages D305 - D312
Committee Meetings
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development held
a hearing on the Bureau of Reclamation. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of the Interior: Bruce Babbitt, Secretary; and
Eluid L. Martinez, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held an oversight
hearing on the Department of Energy--Energy Conservation Financial Management;
and on Department of Energy Conservation. Testimony was heard from Paul
Bostrom, National Academy of Public Administration; and Dan Reicher, Assistant
Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on Institute of Museum and Library Services and
National Education Goals Panel, and on public witnesses. Testimony was heard
from Beverly Sheppard, Acting Director, Institute of Museum and D309Library
Services, National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities; Ken Nelson,
Executive Director, National Education Goals Panel; and public witnesses.
[Page: D309]
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held an oversight hearing on Customs--Automated Commercial
Environment, and the U.S. Postal Service. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of the Treasury: Jim Flyzik, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Information Systems; John Simpson, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Tariffs and Trade; and S.W. Hall, Assistant Commissioner, U.S.
Customs Service, Office of Information Technology; and William J. Henderson,
Postmaster General, U.S. Postal Service; and public witnesses.
VA, HUD, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on the National Science Foundation. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the NSF: Rita R. Colwell, Director; and Eamon
Kelly, Chairman, National Science Board.
MODERNIZING ERISA/PROMOTE SECURITY
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Employer-Employee
Relations held a hearing on Modernizing ERISA to Promote Security. Testimony
was heard from Leslie Kramerich, Acting Assistant Secretary, Pension and
Welfare Benefits, Department of Labor; and David M. Strauss, Executive
Director, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL SERVICE FISCAL YEAR 1999 AUDIT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations, held a hearing on Fiscal Year 1999 Audit of the Corporation
for National Service. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Corporation for National Service: Luise S. Jordan, Inspector General; and
Robert Rogers, Chairman of the Board; and a public witness.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM DRUG TREATMENT OPTIONS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy
and Human Resources held a hearing on Drug Treatment Options within the
Criminal Justice System. Testimony was heard from Charles J. Hynes, District
Attorney, Kings County, State of New York; and public witnesses.
NATIONAL HISTORICAL PUBLICATIONS AND RECORDS COMMISSION REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing on reauthorization of the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission for Fiscal Years 2002-2005.
Testimony was heard from Representative Blunt; the following officials of the
National Archives and Records Administration: John W. Carlin, Archivist of the
United States; and Ann Clifford Newhall, Executive Director, National
Historical Publications and Records Commission; and public witnesses.
EXPORT ADMINISTRATION ACT FUTURE
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Economic
Policy and Trade concluded hearings on the Future of the Export Administration
Act, Part 2. Testimony was heard from Roger Majak, Assistant Secretary, Export
Administration, Department of Commerce.
VISA WAIVER PERMANENT PROGRAM ACT; TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills:
H.R. 3767, Visa Waiver Permanent Program Act; and H.R. 3244, Trafficking
Victims Protection Act of 1999.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3291,
Shivwits Band of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah Water Rights Settlement Act;
and H.R. 3468, Duchesne City Water Rights Conveyance Act. Testimony was heard
from David J. Hayes, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Interior; the
following officials of the State of Utah: Daniel D. McArthur, Mayor, St.
George City; P. Kim Hamlin, Mayor and Paul L. Tanner, City Councilman, both
from Duchesne; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--NEW FOREST RULES EFFECT ON NATIONAL RECREATION
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on the Effect of the New Forest Rules on National
Recreation. Testimony was heard from Dennis Bschor, Director, Recreation,
Forest Service, USDA; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, and Public Lands held
a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 2249, Corinth Battlefield Preservation
Act of 1999; H.R. 2773, Wekiva Wild and D310Scenic River Act of 1999; and H.R.
2833, Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Act of 1999. Testimony was heard
from Representatives Wicker, McCollum and Pastor; Terrel Emmons, Associate
Director, Professional Services, National Park Service, Department of the
Interior; Fran P. Mainella, Director, Division of Recreation and Parks,
Department of Environmental Protection, State of Florida; Marilyn R. Young,
Mayor, Yuma, Arizona; and public witnesses.
[Page: D310]
PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION BAN ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule providing two hours
of debate on H.R. 3660, Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2000. The rule
provides one motion to recommit. The rule provides that after passage of H.R.
3660, it shall be in order to take from the Speaker's table S. 1692, consider
it in the House, and to move to strike all after the enacting clause and
insert the text of H.R. 3660 as passed by the House. The rule waives all
points of order against the motion to strike and insert. Finally, the rule
provides that if the motion is adopted and the Senate bill, as amended, is
passed, then it shall be in order to move that the House insist on its
amendment and request a conference. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Canady of Florida, Johnson of Connecticut, Kolbe, Conyers, Frank of
Massachusetts, Jackson-Lee of Texas, Hoyer, Wise, Edwards and Tauscher.
UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURES: POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on Unauthorized Disclosures of Classified Information: Possible
Solutions. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.
2000/04/05
Daily Digest - Wednesday, April 5, 2000; pages D314 - D322
Committee Meetings
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and
Judiciary held a hearing on U.S. Trade Representative. Testimony was heard
from Charlene Barshefsky, U.S. Trade Representative.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held an oversight
hearing on the Everglades. Testimony was heard from Jim Wells, Director,
Energy and Natural Resources Division, GAO; and Mary Doyle, Chairperson, South
Florida Task Force, and Counselor to the Secretary, Department of the
Interior.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Thomas
Garthwaite, M.D., Acting Under Secretary, Health; John Feussner, M.D., Chief
Research and Development Officer; Kenneth Clark, Chief Network Officer; Joseph
Thompson, Under Secretary, Benefits; Michael Walker, Acting Under Secretary,
Memorial Affairs; Richard Griffin, Inspector General; Edward Powell, Assistant
Secretary, Financial Management; Mark Catlett, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Budget; Leigh Bradley, General Counsel; E.D. Clark, Chairman, Board of
Veterans Appeals; Harold Gracey, Jr., Acting Assistant Secretary, Information
and Technology; Eugene Brickhouse, Assistant Secretary, Human Resources and
Administration; and Dennis Duffy, Assistant Secretary, Planning and Analysis,
and Acting Secretary, Congressional Affairs.
ENERGY POLICY ACT TECHNICS; NATIONAL OILHEAT RESEARCH
Committee on Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a hearing on H.R.
2641, to make technical corrections to title X of the Energy Policy Act of
1992. Testimony was heard from James J. Fiori, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Environmental Management for Site Closure, Department of Energy; and public
witnesses.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on H.R. 380, National Oilheat Research
Alliance Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
EDUCATION OPTIONS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Began markup of H.R. 4141, Education
Opportunities To Protect and Invest In Our Nation's Students (Education
OPTIONS) Act.
[Page: D319]
Will continue tomorrow.
OSHA'S EMPLOYEE WORK AT HOME POLICY
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on Rulemaking at the U.S. Department of Labor:
OSHA's Employee Work at Home Policy. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Labor: Edward Montgomery, Deputy Secretary; and
Sally Patricia Paxton, Deputy Solicitor; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--2000 CENSUS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on the Census held an oversight
hearing of the 2000 Census: Mail-back Response Rates and Status of Key
Operations. Testimony was heard from J. Christopher Mihm, Associate Director,
Federal Management and Workforce Issues, GAO; and Kenneth Prewitt, Director,
Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology approved for full Committee action the following
measures: H.R. 1625, Human Rights Information Act; H.R. 4110, to amend title
44, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission for fiscal years 2002 through
2005; H. Res, 15, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
regarding Government procurement access for women-owned businesses; H.R. 3582,
Federal Contractor Flexibility Act; and a concurrent resolution on the year
2000 computer problem.
HAITI: PROSPECTS FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on Haiti: Prospects for
Free and Fair Elections. Testimony was heard from Peter F. Romero, Acting
Assistant Secretary, Western Hemisphere Affairs, Department of State.
INTERNET GAMBLING PROHIBITION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Began markup of H.R. 3125, Internet Gambling
Prohibition Act of 1999.
Will continue tomorrow.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following measures: S. 406,
Alaska Native and American Indian Direct Reimbursement Act; H. Res. 443,
amended, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with regard to
the centennial of the raising of the United States flag in American Samoa;
H.R. 1509, to authorize the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation to
establish a memorial in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor
veterans who became disabled while serving in the Armed Forces of the United
States; H.R. 2647, to amend the Act entitled "An Act relating to the water
rights of the Ak-Chin Indian Community" to clarify certain provisions
concerning the leasing of such water rights; H.R. 2932, amended, Golden
Spike/Crossroads of the West National Heritage Area Act; H.R. 2958, to provide
for the continuation of higher education through the conveyance of certain
public lands in the State of Alaska to the University of Alaska; H.R. 3182,
Craig Municipal Equity Act; H.R. 3577, to increase the amount authorized to be
appropriated for the north side pumping division of the Minidoka reclamation
project, Idaho; H.R. 3293, amended, to amend the law that authorized the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial to authorize the placement within the site of the
memorial of a plaque to honor those Vietnam veterans who died after their
service in the Vietnam war, but as a direct result of that service; and H.R.
4021, Giant Sequoia Groves Protection and Management Act of 2000.
AMERICAN HOMEOWNERSHIP AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, a structured rule,
providing 1 hour of debate on H.R. 1776, American Homeownership and Economic
Opportunity Act. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of
the bill. The rule makes in order the Committee on Banking and Financial
Services amendment in the nature of a substitute now printed in the bill as an
original bill for the purpose of amendment. The rule waives all points of
order against the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. The rule
makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report
which may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered
only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall
be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and
controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to
amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question
in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of
order against the amendments printed in the report. The rule permits the
Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during consideration
of the bill, and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a postponed question
if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the rule provides D320for
one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from
Chairman Leach and Representatives Lazio, LaFalce, Frank of Massachusetts,
Waters Weygand, Inslee, Rush and Sanchez.
[Page: D320]
CASH VERSUS ACCRUAL
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on Cash versus Accrual: The Policy
Implications of the Growing Inability of Small Businesses to Use Simple Tax
Accounting. Testimony was heard from Joseph M. Mikrut, Tax Legislative
Counsel, Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment approved for full Committee action, as amended, the
following bills: H.R. 673, Florida Keys Water Quality Improvements Act of
1999; H.R. 855, Long Island Sound Preservation and Protection Act; H.R. 1106,
Alternative Water Sources Act of 1999; H.R. 1237, to amend the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act to permit grants for the national estuary program to be
used for the development and implementation of a comprehensive conservation
and management plan, to reauthorize appropriations to carry out the program;
H.R. 2957, Lake Pontchartrain Basin Protection Act of 1999 and H.R. 3313, Long
Island Sound Restoration Act.
VA CAPITAL ASSET PLANNING
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on VA
Capital Asset Planning. Testimony was heard from Representative Weldon of
Florida; Stephan P. Backhus, Director, Veterans' Affairs and Military Health
Care Issues, Health, Education, and Human Services Division, GAO; the
following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Frances M. Murphy,
M.D., Acting Under Secretary, Policy and Management; Terrence S. Batliner,
DDS, Director, VISN 19; and Dennis Smith, Director, VA Maryland Health Care
System; and representatives of veterans organizations.
TAXPAYER BILL OF RIGHTS 2000
Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4163, Taxpayer
Bill of Rights 2000.
2000/04/06
Daily Digest - Thursday, April 6, 2000; pages D323 - D330
Committee Meetings
EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE ENHANCEMENT ACT
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight,
Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing on H.R. 3453, Emergency Food Assistance
Enhancement Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from Representative Hall of Ohio;
Shirley Watkins, Under Secretary, Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, USDA;
Gary Gay, Director, Commodity Options, Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services, State of North Carolina; and public witnesses.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and
Judiciary held a hearing on the Bureau of the Census; and NOAA. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of Commerce: Kenneth
Prewitt, Director, Bureau of the Census; and D. James Baker, Under Secretary,
Oceans and Atmosphere, and Administrator, NOAA.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing and Related Programs held a hearing on the Under Secretary of
Defense for Policy. Testimony was heard from James Bodner, Principal Deputy
Under Secretary, Policy, Department of Defense; and John Holum, Senior
Advisor, Arms Control and International Security, Department of State.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on
Natural Resources, Energy, and other programs. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the Armed Forces Retirement Home; National on
Disability; Elementary and Secondary Education; and Bilingual Education and
Minority Language Affairs. Testimony was heard from David F. Lacy,
CEO/Chairman of the Board, Armed Forces Retirement Home; and the following
officials of the Department of Education: Michael Cohen, Assistant Secretary,
Elementary and Secondary Education; and Arthur Love, Acting Director,
Bilingual Education and Minority Language Affairs.
VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on FEMA; and on NASA. Testimony was heard from James Lee Witt,
Director, FEMA; and the following officials of NASA: Dan S. Goldin,
Administrator; Malcom Peterson, Associate Chief Financial Officer; Joseph H.
Rothenberg, Associate Administrator, Space Flight; Edward J. Weiler, Associate
Administrator, Space Science; Ghassem Asrar, Associate Administrator, Earth
Science; and Samuel L. Venneri, Associate Administrator, Aero-Space
Technology.
THIRD PARTY BILLING COMPANY FRAUD: ASSESSING MEDICARE THREAT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a
hearing on Third Party Billing Company Fraud: Assessing the Threat Posed to
Medicare. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the GAO: Robert
Hast, Acting Assistant Comptroller General, Office of Special Investigations;
and Leslie Aronovitz, Associate Director, Health Financing and Public Health
Issues; the D328following officials of the Department of Health and Human
Services: Lew Morris, Counsel, Office of the Inspector General; and Penny
Thompson, Director, Medicare Program Integrity Group, Health Care Financing
Administration; and a public witness.
[Page: D328]
ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE REPORT; WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SOURCING AND PRIVACY ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing to receive the report of the Advisory Commission on
Electronic Commerce. Testimony was heard from James S. Gilmore III, Governor,
State of Virginia.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on H.R. 3489, Wireless Telecommunications
Sourcing and Privacy Act. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
EDUCATION OPTIONS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Continued markup of H.R. 4141,
Education Opportunities To Protect and Invest In Our Nation's Students
(Education OPTIONS) Act.
AUTISM; PRESENT CHALLENGES, FUTURE NEEDS
Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing on Autism: Present Challenges,
Future Needs--Why the Increased Rates? Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Coleen A. Boyle,
Chief, Developmental Disability Branch Division of Birth Defects, Child
Development, Disability and Health; Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention; and Deborah Hirtz, M.D., National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke, NIH; and public witnesses.
CHINA AND TIBET--STATUS OF NEGOTIATIONS
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on the Status of
Negotiations Between China and Tibet. Testimony was heard from Julia Taft,
U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of
Population, Refugees and Migration, Department of State; and Lodi Gyari,
Special Envoy, His Holiness The Dalai Lama.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT AMENDMENTS
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Economic
Policy and Trade approved for full Committee action H.R. 3680, to amend the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 with respect to the
adjustment of composite theoretical performance levels of high performance
computers.
INTERNET GAMBLING PROHIBITION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 3125, Internet
Gambling Prohibition Act of 1999.
OVERSIGHT--FOURTH AMENDMENT AND THE INTERNET
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held an oversight
hearing on the Fourth Amendment and the Internet. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Justice: Kevin V. DeGregory, Deputy
Associate Attorney General; and David Green, Deputy Chief, Computer Crime and
Intellectual Property Section; and public witnesses.
PROJECT EXILE: THE SAFE STREETS AND NEIGHBORHOODS ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held a hearing on H.R. 4051,
Project Exile: The Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act of 2000. Testimony was
heard from Walter C. Holton, Jr., U.S. Attorney, Middle District of North
Carolina, Department of Justice; the following officials of the State of
Virginia: James S. Gilmore III, Governor; and Mark L. Earley, Attorney
General; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 3176, to
direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine ways of
restoring the natural wetlands conditions in the Kealia Pond National Wildlife
Refuge, Hawaii; and H.R. 3292, amended, to provide for the establishment of
the Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana.
The Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on Section 118 of the Marine Mammal
Protection. Testimony was heard from Andrew Rosenberg, Deputy Assistant
Administrator, Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Department
of Commerce; John E. Reynolds, Chairman, Marine Mammal Commission; and public
witnesses.
The Subcommittee also held an oversight hearing on Section 119 of the Marine
Mammal Protection Act. Penelope Dalton, Assistant Administrator, Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce; David B.
Allen, Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the
Interior; and public witnesses.
[Page: D329]
GENERAL AVIATION ACCESS ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, and Public Lands, the
Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health and the Subcommittee on Aviation of
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a joint hearing on
H.R. 3661, General Aviation Access Act. Testimony was heard from Pat Shea,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management, Bureau of Land
Management, Department of the Interior; Barton W. Welsh, Aeronautics
Administrator, Division of Aeronautics, Department of Transportation, State of
Idaho; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; OVERSIGHT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 1787, Deschutes Resources Conservancy Reauthorization
Act of 1999; and H.R. 1113, Colusa Basin Watershed Integrated Resources
Management Act. Testimony was heard from Eluid Martinez, Commissioner, Bureau
of Reclamation, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
The Subcommittee also held an oversight hearing on Bonneville Power
Administrations' Subscription process. Testimony was heard from Paul Norman,
Senior Vice President of Power Business Line, Bonneville Power Administration,
Department of Energy; and public witnesses.
HUMAN GENOME PROJECT
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on
the Human Genome Project. Testimony was heard from Neal F. Lane, Assistant to
the President for Science and Technology, Director, Office of Science and
Technology Policy; and public witnesses.
PREPAREDNESS AGAINST TERRORIST ATTACKS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Oversight,
Investigations, and Emergency Management held a hearing on Preparedness
Against Terrorist Attacks Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction. Testimony was
heard from Norman J. Rabkin, Director, National Security and Preparedness
Issues, GAO; Brett Burdick, Director of Terrorism Preparedness Programs,
Department of Emergency Services, State of Virginia; and public witnesses.
SOCIAL SECURITY TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing on
the 2000 Social Security Trustees Annual Report. Testimony was heard from the
following former public trustees of the Social Security Board of Trustees:
Stephen G. Kellison; and Marilyn Moon.
2000/04/07
Daily Digest - Friday, April 7, 2000; pages D332 - D340
Committee Meetings
OVERSIGHT--OMB
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held an oversight hearing on "The Office of
Management and Budget: Is OMB Fulfilling its Mission?". Testimony was heard
from Jacob Lew, Director, OMB; David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; and
public witnesses.
OIL INDUSTRY SOLUTIONS TO COMPETITIVE PROBLEMS
Committee on the Judiciary: Concluded oversight hearings on Solutions to
Competitive Problems in the Oil Industry: Part 2. Testimony was heard from
Robert Gee, Assistant Secretary, Fossil Energy, Department of Energy; Richard
Blumenthal, Attorney D335General, State of Connecticut; Bill Patmon,
Councilman, Cleveland, State of Ohio; and public witnesses.
2000/04/10
Daily Digest - Monday, April 10, 2000; pages D342 - D346
Committee Meetings
OVERSIGHT--INS: COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing on "Oversight of the Internal
Revenue Service: The Commissioner Reports". Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the IRS, Department of the Treasury: Charles O.
Rossotti, Commissioner; and W. Val Oveson, National Taxpayer Advocate;
Margaret Wrightson, Associate Director, Tax Policy and Administration Issues,
GAO; and public witnesses.
2000/04/11
Daily Digest - Tuesday, April 11, 2000; pages D347 - D356
Committee Meetings
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and
Judiciary held a hearing on U.N. Peacekeeping. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of State: Richard Holbrooke, U.S.
Ambassador to the U.N.; and David Welch, Assistant Secretary, International
Organizations.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing and Related Programs held a hearing on AID Administrator. Testimony
was heard from J. Brady Anderson, Administrator, AID, Department of State.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on Native
American issues. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education continued appropriations hearings. Testimony was heard from
Members of Congress.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on the U.S. Mint. Testimony was heard from
John P. Mitchell, Acting Director, U.S. Mint, Department of the Treasury; and
public witnesses.
VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
continued appropriations hearings. Testimony was heard from Members of
Congress.
FINANCIAL CONTRACT HIRING, HEDGE FUND DISCLOSURE, AND OVER-THE-COUNTER
DERIVATIVES RECOMMENDATIONS
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing on the
recommendations of the President's Working Group on Financial Markets
concerning Financial Contract Netting, Hedge Fund Disclosure, and
Over-the-Counter Derivatives. Testimony was heard from Representative Baker;
Lewis A. Sachs, Assistant Secretary, Financial Markets, Department of the
Treasury; Patrick M. Parkinson, Associate Director, Division of Research and
Statistics, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; Annette L. Nazareth,
Director, Division of Market Regulation, SEC; C. Robert Paul, General Counsel,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held an oversight hearing on the status of deployment of broadband
technologies. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
EDUCATION OPTIONS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Continued markup of H.R. 4141,
Education Opportunities To Protect and Invest In Our Nation's Students
(Education OPTIONS) Act.
Will continue tomorrow.
KOSOVO--RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on Recent Developments in
Kosovo and Related Issues. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of State: Ambassador James Pardew, Deputy Special Advisor to
the President and Secretary for Kosovo and Dayton Implementation; and James
Swigert, Deputy Special Advisor, Deputy Assistant Secretary, both with the
Bureau of European Affairs; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--BANKRUPTCY CODE LIMIT ON REGULATORY POWERS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held an oversight hearing on the limit on regulatory powers under the
Bankruptcy Code. Testimony was heard from Ethan Posner, Deputy Associate
Attorney General, Department of Justice; Christopher J. Wright, General
Counsel, FCC; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--INTEGRATION OF ECO-REGION ASSESSMENTS IN FOREST SERVICE PLANS
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on Integration of Eco-region Assessments in Forest Service
Plans. Testimony was heard from Barry Hill, Associate Director, Energy,
Resources, and Science Issues, Resources, Community, and Economic Development
Division, GAO; and Chris Risbrudt, Director, Eco-D352System Management
Coordination, Forest Service, USDA.
[Page: D352]
TAXATION LIMITATION CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, a modified closed
rule providing 2 hours of debate on H.J. Res. 94, proposing an amendment to
the Constitution of the United States with respect to tax limitations. The
rule provides for one amendment printed in the Congressional Record if offered
by the Minority Leader or his designee, which shall be considered as read and
shall be separately debatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by
the proponent and an opponent. Finally, the rule provides for one motion to
recommit, with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Sessions and Conyers.
MOTIONS TO SUSPEND RULES
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, a rule providing
that suspensions will be in order at any time on or before the legislative day
of Friday, April 14, 2000. The rule provides that the object of any motion to
suspend the rules will be announced from the floor at least one hour prior to
its consideration. Finally, the rule provides that the Speaker or his designee
shall consult with the Minority Leader or his designee on the object of any
suspension considered under this resolution.
CLEAN LAKES PROGRAMS REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, an open rule
providing 1 hour of debate on H.R. 2328, to amend the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act to reauthorize the Clean Lakes Program. The rule makes in order
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure amendment in the nature of
a substitute, now printed in the bill, as an original bill for the purpose of
amendment. The rule waives clause 7 of rule XVI (prohibiting nongermane
amendments) against the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. The
rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be open
for amendment by section. The rule authorizes the Chairman of the Committee of
the Whole to accord priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed
their amendments in the Congressional Record. The rule allows the Chairman of
the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill
and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote
follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to
recommit, with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman
Shuster and Representatives Sweeney and Borski.
CHESAPEAKE BAY RESTORATION ACT
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, an open rule
providing 1 hour of debate on H.R. 3039, Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act of
1999. The rule provides that the bill shall be open for amendment at any
point. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to
Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. The
rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes
during consideration of the bill and to reduce voting time to five minutes on
a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the
rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Testimony
was heard from Chairman Shuster and Representative Borski.
NASA'S BUDGET REQUEST--AERO-SPACE TECHNOLOGY ENTERPRISE
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on
NASA's Fiscal Year 2001 Budget Request: Aero-Space Technology Enterprise.
Testimony was heard from Sam Venneri, Associate Administrator, Aero-Space
Technology Enterprise, NASA; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--E-COMMERCE AND SMALL BUSINESSES
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Government Programs and Oversight
held an oversight hearing to examine the federal government's use of
e-commerce to facilitate procurement in comparison to the private sector.
Testimony was heard from Deidre Lee, Administrator, Office of Federal
Procurement Policy, OMB; the following officials of the SBA: Max E. Summers,
State Director, Small Business Development Center, State of Missouri; and
Major Clark, Assistant Advocate, Office of Advocacy; Scottie Knott, Director,
JECPO, Defense Logistics Agency, Department of Defense; and a public witness.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported the following
bills: H.R. 673, amended, Florida Keys Water Quality Improvements Act of 1999;
H.R. 855, amended, Long Island Sound Preservation and Protection Act; H.R.
1106, amended, Alternative Water Sources Act of 1999; H.R. 1237, amended, to
amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to permit grants for the
national estuary program to be used for the development and implementation of
a comprehensive conservation and management plan, to reauthorize
appropriations to carry out the program; H.R. 2957, amended, Lake
Pontchartrain Basin Protection Act of 1999 and H.R. 3313, amended, Long Island
Sound Restoration Act; D353H.R. 1405, to designate the Federal building
located at 143 West Liberty Street, Medina, Ohio, as the "Donald J. Pease
Federal Building"; H.R. 1571, to designate the Federal building under
construction at 600 State Street in New Haven, Connecticut, as the "Merrill S.
Parks, Jr., Federal Building"; H.R. 1729, To designate the Federal facility
located at 1301 Emmet Street in Charlottesville, Virginia, as the "Pamela B.
Gwin Hall"; H.R. 1901, to designate the United States border station located
in Pharr, Texas, as the "Kika de la Garza United States Border Station".
[Page: D353]
The Committee also approved Corps of Engineers Survey Resolutions and 11(b)
Pubic Buildings Resolutions.
EGYPT AIR CRASH ISSUES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on Issues Arising out of the Egypt Air Crash, including Video
Recorders in the Cockpit, English Proficiency Requirements for Foreign Pilots
and Psychological Testing of Pilots. Testimony was heard from Representative
Franks of New Jersey; James E. Hall, Chairman, National Transportation Safety
Board; Thomas McSweeny, Associate Administrator, Regulation and Certification,
FAA, Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.
CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAM
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic
Development, Public Buildings, Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation
held a hearing on GSA's Fiscal Year 2001 Capital Investment Program. Testimony
was heard from Robert Peck, Commissioner, Public Buildings Service, GSA; and
Bernard Ungar, Director, Government Business Operational Issues, GAO.
FUNDAMENTAL TAX REFORM
Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on fundamental tax reform.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Peterson of Minnesota and Linder;
Billy Hamilton, Deputy Comptroller of Public Accounts, State of Texas; and
public witnesses.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
SOCIAL SECURITY--EFFORTS TO INFORM PUBLIC
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing on
efforts to inform the public about Social Security. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Weller, Hoekstra, Pomeroy and Sununu; Kenneth S. Apfel,
Commissioner, SSA; Barbara Bovbjerg, Associate Director, Education, Workforce
and Income Security Issues, Health, Education and Human Services Division,
GAO; and public witnesses.
2000/04/12
Daily Digest - Wednesday, April 12, 2000; pages D358 - D368
Committee Meetings
FEDERAL FARM POLICY
Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing on Review of federal farm policy.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and
Judiciary held a hearing on the Report of Overseas Presence Advisory Panel.
Testimony was heard from Ambassador Felix G. Rohatyn, U.S. Ambassador to
France; and the following members of the Overseas Presence Advisory Panel,
Department of State: Lewis Kaden, Chairman; former Ambassador Langhorne
Motley, and Adm. William J. Crowe, Jr., USN (Ret.).
[Page: D363]
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education continued appropriations hearings. Testimony was heard from
Members of Congress.
VA, HUD, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
continued appropriations hearings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
AMERICA'S PRIVATE INVESTMENT COMPANIES ACT; NEW MARKETS INITIATIVE ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Ordered reported, as amended, the
following bills: H.R. 2764, America's Private Investment Companies Act; and
H.R. 2848, New Markets Initiative Act of 1999.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power approved for full
Committee action the following measures: H.R. 3383, amended, to amend the
Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to remove separate treatment or exemption for
nuclear safety violations by nonprofit institutions; H.R. 3906, amended, to
ensure that the Department of Energy has appropriate mechanisms to
independently assess the effectiveness of its policy and site performance in
the areas of safeguards and security and cyber security; H.R. 3852, to extend
the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project in
the State of Alabama; S. 1236, amended, to extend the deadline under the
Federal Power Act for commencement of the construction of the Arrowrock Dam
Hydroelectric Project in the State of Idaho; and a measure to ensure that the
Secretary of Energy may continue to exercise certain authorities under the
Price-Anderson Act through the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environment,
Safety, and Health.
The Subcommittee failed to approve for full Committee consideration H.R. 623,
to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to eliminate certain
regulation of plumbing supplies.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Education and the Workforce, Ordered reported the following
bills: H.R. 4055, IDEA Full Funding Act of 2000; and H.R. 3629, to amend the
Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve the program for American Indian Tribal
Colleges and Universities under part A of title III.
The Committee also continued markup of H.R. 4141, Education Opportunities To
Protect and Invest In Our Nation's Students (Education OPTIONS) Act.
Will continue tomorrow.
FEHBP DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Civil Service held a hearing
on "The Failure of the FEHBP Demonstration Project: Another Broken Promise?"
Testimony was heard from Representatives Cunningham, Moran of Virginia, and
Norwood; William E. Flynn, Director, Retirement and Insurance Programs, OMB;
Rear Adm. Thomas F. Carrato, USN, U.S. Public Health Service, Director,
Military Health Systems Operations, Tricare Management Activity, Department of
Defense; and public witnesses.
HAITI--EMERGING DRUG THREAT
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy
and Human Resources held a hearing on the Emerging Drug Threat from Haiti.
Testimony was heard from Ambassador Don Steinberg, Special Haiti Coordinator,
Department of State; the following officials of the Department of Justice:
Carl Alexandre, Director, Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and
Training, Criminal Division; and Michael Vigil, Senior Agent in Charge, Miami,
DEA; John Varrone, Acting Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Office of
Investigations, U.S. Customs Service, Department of the Treasury; Rear Adm.
Ed. J. Barrett, USCG, Director, Joint Interagency Task Force East, Department
of Transportation; and a public witness.
PROPOSED COMMISSION FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF PRIVACY PROTECTION
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing on "Legislative Hearing to
Establish the Commission for the Comprehensive Study of Privacy Protection".
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
"REINVENTING PAPERWORK?: THE CLINTON-GORE ADMINISTRATION'S RECORD ON
PAPERWORK REDUCTION"
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Economic Growth,
Natural Resources, and Regulatory Affairs held a hearing on "Reinventing
Paperwork?: The Clinton-Gore Administration's Record on Paperwork Reduction".
Testimony was heard from Charles O. Rossotti, Commissioner, IRS, Department of
the Treasury; John T. Spotila, Administrator, Office of Information and
Regulatory D364Affairs, OMB; Nancy Kingsbury, Acting Assistant Comptroller
General, General Government Division, GAO; Morton Rosenberg, Specialist in
American Law, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress; and public
witnesses.
[Page: D364]
U.S.-EUROPEAN UNION RELATIONS
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on United States-European
Union Relations: The View from the European Parliament. Testimony was heard
via video conference from the following Members of the European Parliament:
Mel Read, Chairperson, Karla Peijs, Vice Chairman, both with the Delegation
for Relations with the U.S.; Elmar Brok, Chairman, Foreign Affairs, Human
Rights, And Common Security and Defense Policy; and Carlos Wesendorp y Cabeza,
Chairman, Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa approved for full
Committee action the following measures: H. Res. 449, congratulating the
people of Senegal on the success of the multi-party electoral process; and
H.R. 3879, amended, Sierra Leone Peace Support Act.
DEMOCRACY IN THE CENTRAL ASIAN REPUBLICS
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and
the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights held a joint
hearing on Democracy in the Central Asian Republics. Testimony was heard from
Donald Pressley, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, AID,
Department of State; Paul Goble, Director of Communications, Radio Free
Europe/Radio Liberty, USIA; and public witnesses.
SOUTH VIETNAM--HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND POLITICAL OPPRESSION
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
approved for full Committee action, as amended, H. Con. Res. 295, relating to
continuing human rights violations and political oppression in the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam 25 years after the fall of South Vietnam to Communist
forces.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on the Judiciary: Held an oversight hearing on the Antitrust
Enforcement Agencies: the Bureau of Competition of the FTC and the Antitrust
Division of the Department of Justice. Testimony was heard from Robert
Pitofsky, Chairman, FTC; Joel Klein, Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust
Division, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.
TECHNOLOGY WORKER TEMPORARY RELIEF ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims approved
for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 4227, Technology Worker Temporary
Relief Act.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Resources: Held an oversight hearing on Compromising our National
Security by Restricting Domestic Exploration and Development of our Oil and
Gas Resources. Testimony was heard from Representatives DeLay, Gekas, Largent
and Fosella; David J. Hayes, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Interior; Bob
Gee, Assistant Secretary, Fossil Energy, Department of Energy; and public
witnesses.
DATE CERTAIN TAX CODE REPLACEMENT ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 4199, Date Certain Tax Code Replacement Act. The rule provides
that the bill shall be considered as read and that the text of H.R. 4230 be
considered as adopted. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with
or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Portman and
Largent.
RADIO BROADCASTING PRESERVATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 3439, Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act of 2000. The rule
makes in order the Committee on Commerce amendment in the nature of a
substitute, now printed in the bill, as an original bill for the purpose of
amendment. The rule waives clause 7 of rules XVI (prohibiting nongermane
amendments) against the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. The
rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be open
for amendment at any point. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority
in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the
Congressional Record. The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the
Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill and to reduce voting
time to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen
minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without
instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Tauzin, Oxley, Dingell,
Rush and Barrett of Wisconsin.
[Page: D365]
CONFERENCE REPORT--CONCURRENT BUDGET RESOLUTION
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points of order
against the conference report on H. Con. Res. 290, establishing the
congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2001,
revising the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal
year 2000, and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for each of fiscal
years 2002 through 2005 and against its consideration. The rule provides that
the conference report be considered as read. The rule provides one hour of
debate equally divided and controlled between the chairman and ranking
minority member of the Committee on the Budget. H. Con. Res. 290, establishing
the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year
2001, revising the congressional budget for the United States Government for
fiscal year 2000, and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for each of
fiscal years 2002 through 2005. Testimony was heard from Chairman Kasich.
RURAL LOCAL BROADCAST SIGNAL ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule on H.R. 3615, Rural
Local Broadcast Signal Act providing one hour of debate in the House equally
divided among and controlled by the chairmen and ranking minority members of
the Committees on Agriculture and Commerce. The rule provides that, in lieu of
the amendments recommended by the Committees on Agriculture and Commerce, the
amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the report of the Committee
on Rules accompanying the resolution shall be considered as adopted. Finally,
the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions..
Testimony was heard from Representative Goodlatte.
NASA'S MARS PROGRAM
Committee on Science: Held a hearing on NASA's Mars Program After the Young
Report. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
FIRE GRANTS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Oversight,
Investigations, and Emergency Management held a hearing on Fire Grants: H.R.
1168, Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act; and H.R.
3155, Firefighter's Local-Federal Assistance for Management of Emergencies
Act; and the Administration's Proposal for Assistance to Firemen. Testimony
was heard from Senators DeWine and Dodd; Representatives Pascrell, Weldon of
Pennsylvania, Gekas, Smith of Michigan and Hoyer; Kenneth O. Burris, Chief
Operating Officer, U.S. Fire Administration, FEMA; Robert A. McGuire, Deputy
Associate Administrator, Hazardous Materials Safety, Research and Special
Programs Administration, Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.
GREAT LAKES SEDIMENT REMEDIATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on H.R. 3670, to amend the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the Great Lakes program. Testimony
was heard from Charles Fox, Assistant Administrator, Office of Water, EPA;
Michael L. Davis, Deputy Assistant Secretary (Civil Works), Department of the
Army; and public witnesses.
VA HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on
status of recruitment, retention and compensation of the VA health care
workforce including nurses, physicians and dentists. Testimony was heard from
Kenneth J. Clark, Chief Network Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs.
FUNDAMENTAL TAX REFORM
Committee on Ways and Means: Continued hearings on fundamental tax reform.
Testimony was heard from Representatives English, Armey, Tauzin and Traficant;
and public witnesses.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
NSA LEGAL AUTHORITIES
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Held a hearing on NSA Legal
Authorities. Testimony was heard from Representative Barr of Georgia, George
J. Tenet, Director, CIA, and Lt. Gen. Michael V. Hayden, USAF, Director,
National Security Agency, Department of Defense.
2000/04/13
Daily Digest - Thursday, April 13, 2000; pages D370 - D382
Committee Meetings
HASS AVOCADO PROMOTION, RESEARCH, AND INFORMATION ACT; ANIMAL WELFARE ACT
AMENDMENTS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture approved
for full Committee action, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 2962, Hass
Avocado Promotion, Research, and Information Act; and H.R. 1275, to amend the
Animal Welfare Act to prohibit the interstate movement of live birds for the
purpose of having the birds participate in animal fighting.
Prior to this action, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 2962. Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing, and Related Programs held a hearing on the Secretary of the
Treasury. Testimony was heard from Lawrence H. Summers, Secretary of the
Treasury.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the SSA and the U.S. Institute of Peace.
Testimony was heard from Kenneth S. Apfel, Commissioner, SSA; and Chester A.
Crocker, Chairman, U.S. Institute of Peace.
VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Armed Services, Special Oversight Panel on Merchant Marine
approved recommendations to the committee on H.R. 4205, National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Armed Services: Special Oversight Panel on Morale, Welfare and
Recreation approved recommendations to the committee on H.R. 4205, National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001.
NTSB RAPIDRAFT PAYMENT SYSTEM ABUSE
Committee on the Budget: Housing and Infrastructure Task Force held a hearing
on Abuse of the NTSB Rapidraft Payment System. Testimony was heard from
Kenneth M. Mead, Inspector General, Department of Transportation; and James E.
Hall, Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board.
U.S. ENRICHMENT CORPORATION PRIVATIZATION--IMPACT ON DOMESTIC URANIUM INDUSTRY
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a
hearing to review U.S. Enrichment Corporation privatization and its impact on
the domestic uranium industry. Testimony was heard from Gary Gensler, Under
Secretary, Department of the Treasury; Ernest J. Moniz, Under Secretary,
Department of Energy; Carl Paperiello, Deputy Executive Director, Materials,
Research, and State Programs, NRC; and public witnesses.
RELIGIOUS BROADCASTING FREEDOM ACT; NONCOMMERCIAL BROADCASTING FREEDOM OF
EXPRESSION ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3525, Religious
Broadcasting Freedom Act; and H.R. 4201, Noncommercial Broadcasting Freedom of
Expression Act of 2000. Testimony was heard from the following Commissioners
of the FCC: Harold W. Furchtgott-Roth; and Gloria Tristani; and public
witnesses.
[Page: D380]
EDUCATION OPTIONS ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R.
4141, Education Opportunities To Protect and Invest In Our Nation's Students
(Education OPTIONS) Act.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported, as amended, the
following bills: H.R. 4022, Russian Anti-Ship Missile Nonproliferation Act;
and H.R. 3680, to amend the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
1998 with respect to the adjustment of composite theoretical performance
levels of high performance computers.
The Committee also favorably considered the following measures and adopted a
motion urging the Chairman to request that they be considered on the
Suspension Calendar: H. Res. 464, expressing the sense of Congress on
international recognition of Israel's Magen David Adom Society and its symbol
the Red Shield of David; H. Res. 449, congratulating the people of Senegal on
the success of the multi-party electoral process; H.R. 4251, Congressional
Oversight of Nuclear Transfers to North Korea Act; H. Con. Res. 304,
Expressing the condemnation of the continued egregious violations of human
rights in the Republic of Belarus, the lack of progress toward the
establishment of democracy and the rule of law in Belarus, calling on
President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's regime to engage in negotiations with the
representatives of the opposition and to restore the constitutional rights of
the Belarusian people, and calling on the Russian Federation to respect the
sovereignty of Belarus; H.R. 3879, amended, Sierra Leone Peace Support Act;
and H. Con. Res. 295, amended, relating to continuing human rights violations
and political oppression in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 25 years after
the fall of South Vietnam to Communist forces.
CHILDREN'S RIGHTS IN CUBA
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Operations
and Human Rights held a hearing on Children's Rights in Cuba. Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.
JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF TERRORISM ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims held a
hearing on H.R. 3485, Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act. Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.
GUAM MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 755, Guam
War Restitution Act; and H.R. 2462, Guam Omnibus Opportunities Act. Testimony
was heard from Lisa Guide, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Policy and
International Affairs, Department of the Interior; former Delegate Ben Blaz of
Guam; and a public witness.
SHARK FINNING PROHIBITION ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans held a hearing on H.R. 3535, Shark Finning Prohibition Act. Testimony
was heard from Representative Cunningham; Andrew Rosenberg, Deputy Assistant
Administrator, Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Department
of Commerce; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands
approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 2773, amended,
Wekiva Wild and Scenic River Act; H.R. 2950, amended, Oregon Land Exchange Act
of 1999; H.R. 2778, amended, Taunton River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of
1999; H.R. 3084, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to contribute
funds for the establishment of an interpretive center on the life and
contributions of President Abraham Lincoln; H.R. 3241, to direct the Secretary
of the Interior to recalculate the franchise fee owed by Fort Sumter Tours
Inc., a concessioner providing service to Fort Sumter National Monument in
South Carolina; and H.R. 3676, Santa Rosa and San Jacino Mountains National
Monument Act of 2000.
WIRELESS INTERNET TECHNOLOGY
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing on Wireless
Internet Technology. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
OSHA'S PROPOSED ERGONOMICS
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Paperwork
Reduction held a hearing on OSHA's Proposed Ergonomics Standard and its Impact
on Small Business. Testimony was heard from Charles N. Jeffress,
Administrator, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of
Labor; and public witnesses.
VETERANS' LEGISLATION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Benefits held a hearing on VA
adjudication of Hepatitis C claims, and the following bills: H.R. 1020,
Veterans' Hepatitis C Benefits Act; H.R. 3816, to amend title 38, United
States Code, to provide that a stroke or heart attack that is incurred or
aggravated by a member of a reserve component in the performance of duty while
performing inactive duty training shall be considered to be service-connected
for purposes of benefits under laws administered by D381the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs; H.R. 3998, Veterans' Special Monthly Compensation Gender
Equity Act; and H.R. 4131, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment
Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Stupak and Snyder; the following
officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Gary Roselle, M.D., Program
Director, Infectious Diseases, Medical Center, Cincinnati; Nora Egan, Deputy
Under Secretary, Management; and John McCourt, Deputy Director, Compensation
and Pension Service; representatives of veterans organizations; and public
witnesses.
[Page: D381]
FUNDAMENTAL TAX REFORM
Committee on Ways and Means: Concluded hearings on fundamental tax reform.
Testimony was heard from Representative Portman; and public witnesses.
MANAGING INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY PERSONNEL RESOURCES
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on Building Capabilities: The Challenges of Managing Intelligence
Community Personnel Resources. Testimony was heard from departmental
witnesses.
2000/04/25
Daily Digest - Tuesday, April 25, 2000; pages D384 - D388
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
2000/04/26
Daily Digest - Wednesday, April 26, 2000; pages D390 - D394
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
2000/04/27
Daily Digest - Thursday, April 27, 2000; pages D395 - D402
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
2000/05/01
Daily Digest - Monday, May 1, 2000; pages D403 - D406
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.D404
2000/05/02
Daily Digest - Tuesday, May 2, 2000; pages D407 - D414
Committee Meetings
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on Children and Environmental Health. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of Health and Human
Services: Kenneth Olden, M.D., Director, National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences, and Duane Alexander, M.D., Director, National Institute of
Child Health and Human Development, both with NIH; and Richard Jackson,
Director, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease
Control; Ramona Trovato, Director, Office of Children's Health Protection,
EPA; and public witnesses.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction approved
for full Committee action the Military Construction appropriations for fiscal
year 2001.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Installations and Facilities
approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 4205, National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001.
LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN BASIN RESTORATION ACT
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, an open rule
providing 1 hour of debate on D412H.R. 2957, Lake Pontchartrain Basin
Restoration Act of 1999. The rule waives clause 4(a) of Rule XIII (requiring a
three-day layover of the committee report) against consideration of the bill.
The rule makes in order the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
amendment in the nature of a substitute, now printed in the bill, as an
original bill for the purpose of amendment, which shall be open for amendment
at any point. The rule authorizes the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole
to accord priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their
amendments in the Congressional Record. The rule allows the Chairman of the
Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill and
to reduce voting time to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote
follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to
recommit, with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman
Shuster and Representative Vitter.
[Page: D412]
FLORIDA KEYS WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS ACT
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, an open rule
providing 1 hour of debate on H.R. 673, Florida Keys Water Quality
Improvements Act of 1999. The rule waives clause 4(a) of Rule XIII (requiring
a three-day layover of the committee report) against consideration of the
bill. The rule makes in order the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure amendment in the nature of a substitute, now printed in the
bill, as an original bill for the purpose of amendment, which shall be open
for amendment at any point. The rule authorizes the Chairman of the Committee
of the Whole to accord priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed
their amendments in the Congressional Record. The rule allows the Chairman of
the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill
and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote
follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to
recommit, with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman
Shuster and Representative Vitter.
ALTERNATIVE WATER SOURCES ACT
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, an open rule
providing 1 hour of debate on H.R. 1106, Alternative Water Sources Act of
1999. The rule waives clause 4(a) of Rule XIII (requiring a three-day layover
of the committee report) against consideration of the bill. The rule makes in
order the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure amendment in the
nature of a substitute, now printed in the bill, as an original bill for the
purpose of amendment, which shall be open for amendment at any point. The rule
authorizes the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to accord priority in
recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the
Congressional Record. The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the
Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill and to reduce voting
time to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen
minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or
without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Shuster and
Representative Vitter.
MOTIONS TO SUSPEND RULES
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, a rule providing
that suspensions will be in order at any time on the legislative day of
Wednesday, May 3, 2000. The rule provides that the object of any motion to
suspend the rules will be announced from the floor at least one hour prior to
its consideration. The rule provides that the Speaker or his designee shall
consult with the Minority Leader or his designee on the object of any
suspension considered under this resolution. Finally, the rule provides that
H. Res. 469 is laid on the table.
2000/05/03
Daily Digest - Wednesday May 3, 2000; pages D415 - D422
Committee Meetings
LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative approved for full
Committee action the Legislative Appropriations for fiscal year 2001.
BANK RESERVES MODERNIZATION ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing on H.R. 4209, Bank
Reserves Modernization Act of 2000. Testimony was heard from Laurence H.
Meyer, member, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; Gary Gensler, Under
Secretary, Domestic Finance, Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses.
INTERNET MEASURES
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 4202, Internet Services
Promotion Act of 2000; and H.R. 1291, Internet Access Charge Prohibition Act
of 1999. Testimony was heard from Representative Upton; and public witnesses.
OPEN SHOPS--21ST CENTURY WORKPLACE
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on Open Shops in the 21st Century Workplace.
Testimony was heard from Representative Goodlatte; Mark Paschall,
Representative, State of Colorado; and public witnesses.
FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT--WHITE COLLAR EXEMPTIONS--MODERN WORKPLACE
Committee on Education and the Workplace: Subcommittee on Workforce
Protections held a hearing on the Fair Labor Standards Act: White Collar
Exemptions in the Modern Workplace. Testimony was heard from Cynthia M.
Fagnoni, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues, GAO; T.
Michael Kerr, Administrator, Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor; and
public witnesses.
"MISSING WHITE HOUSE E-MAILS: MISMANAGEMENT OF SUBPOENAED RECORDS"
Committee on Government Reform: Continued hearings on "White House E-Mails:
Mismanagement of Subpoenaed Records, Day Three". Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Office of Administration, Executive Office of the
President: Michael D419Lyle, Director; and Karl Heissner, Branch Chief,
Systems Integration and Development; and Robert Raben, Assistant Attorney,
Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice.
[Page: D419]
Hearings continue tomorrow.
"MINIMAL PROGRESS"--IMPLEMENTING REFORMS TO PROTECT PEOPLE IN MEDICAL
RESEARCH
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy
and Human Resources held a hearing on "Why Have Recommended Reforms to Protect
People Who Participate in Medical Research Been Ignored?" Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services:
George Grob, Deputy Inspector General; William Raub, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Science Policy; Gary Ellis, Acting Director, Office of Protection
from Research Risks; and Daniel Michels, Director of Enforcement, Office of
Regulatory Affairs, FDA; and public witnesses.
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN--INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO END
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on International Efforts
to End Discrimination Against Women. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Maloney of New York; Woolsey; and Morella; and Theresa Loar, Director, The
President's Interagency Council on Women, Department of State.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a
hearing on the following bills: S. 439, to amend the National Forest and
Public Lands of Nevada Enhancement Act of 1988 to adjust the boundary of the
Toiyabe National Forest, Nevada; S. 1374, Jackson Multi-Agency Campus Act of
1999; H.R. 3657, to provide for the conveyance of a small parcel of public
domain land in the San Bernardino National Forest in the State of California;
H.R. 3817, to redesignate the Big South Trail in the Comanche Park Wilderness
Area of Roosevelt National Forest in Colorado as the "Jaryd Atadero Legacy
Trail"; and H.R. 4226, Black Hills National Forest and Rocky Mountain Research
Station Improvement Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Bryan,
Gibbons, Cubin, Thune, Tancredo and Bono; and James R. Furnish, Deputy Chief,
Forest Service, USDA.
WAIVING TWO-THIRDS REQUIREMENT FOR SAME DAY CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION
REPORTED BY THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving clause 6(a) of rule
XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is
reported from the Rules Committee) against certain resolutions reported from
the Rules Committee. The rule applies the waiver to a special rule reported on
or before May 4, 2000, providing for consideration or disposition of a
conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 434) to authorize a new trade
and investment policy for sub-Sahara Africa, or any amendment reported in
disagreement from a conference thereon.
OVERSIGHT--OCEAN SHIPPING REFORM ACT
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held an oversight hearing on the Ocean Shipping
Reform Act. Testimony was heard from Harold J. Creel, Jr., Chairman, Federal
Maritime Commission; Capt. Jon S. Helmick, U.S. Maritime Service, Director,
Logistics and Intermodal Transportation Program, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy,
Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.
U.S.-CHINA BILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENT--ACCESSION OF CHINA TO THE WTO
Committee on Ways and Means: Concluded hearings on the U.S.-China Bilateral
Trade Agreement and the Accession of China to the WTO. Testimony was heard
from Representative Wolf; Lawrence H. Summers, Secretary of the Treasury; Dan
Glickman, Secretary of Agriculture; William M. Daley, Secretary of Commerce;
Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky, U.S. Trade Representative; Elliott Abrams,
Commissioner, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom;
Robert E. Rubin, former Secretary of the Treasury; and public witnesses.
IRAQ
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on Iraq. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.
2000/05/04
Daily Digest - Thursday, May 4, 2000; pages D423 - D432
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
and Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies approved for full
Committee action the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations for fiscal year 2001.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel approved for
full Committee action H.R. 4205, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2001.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Readiness approved for
full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 4205, National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2001.
FAIR CREDIT REPORTING AMENDMENTS ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial
Institutions and Consumer Credit held a hearing on the Fair Credit Reporting
Act and its application to employers investigating alleged employee misconduct
and on H.R. 3408, Fair Credit Reporting Amendments Act of 1999. Testimony was
heard from Ida Castro, Chairman, EEOC; Debra Valentine, General Counsel, FTC;
and public witnesses.
"ACCOUNTING FOR BUSINESS COMBINATIONS: SHOULD POOLING BE ELIMINATED?"
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials held a
hearing on "Accounting for Business Combinations: Should Pooling Be
Eliminated?" Testimony was heard from Representatives Goodlatte and Dooley of
California; and public witnesses.
OERI--OPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth, and Families held a hearing on Options for the Future of OERI.
Testimony was heard from C. Kent McGuire, Assistant Secretary, Office of
Educational Research and Improvement, Department of Education; Reid Lyon,
Chief, Child Development and Behavior Branch, National Institute of Child
Health and Human Development, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services;
and public witnesses.
"MISSING WHITE HOUSE E-MAILS: MISMANAGEMENT OF SUBPOENAED RECORDS"
Committee on Government Reform: Continued hearings on "White House E-Mails:
Mismanagement of Subpoenaed Records, Day Four". Testimony was heard from Mark
Lindsay, Assistant to the President, Management and Administration; Beth
Nolan, Counsel to the President; Dimitri Nionakis, Associate Counsel to the
President; Charles F.C. Ruff, former White House Counsel; and Cheryl Mills,
former Deputy White House Counsel.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4118,
Russian-American Trust and Cooperation Act of 2000.
The Committee also favorably considered the following measures and adopted a
motion urging the Chairman to request that they be considered on the
Suspension Calendar: H. Con. Res. 251, commending the Republic of Croatia for
the conduct of its parliamentary and presidential elections; and H.R. 4249,
Cross-Border Cooperation and Environmental Safety in Northern Europe Act of
2000.
INTERNET NONDISCRIMINATION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered favorably reported, as amended, H.R. 3709,
Internet Nondiscrimination Act.
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOURCING AND PRIVACY ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held a hearing on D428H.R. 3489, Wireless Telecommunications Sourcing and
Privacy Act. Testimony was heard from Representative Pickering; and public
witnesses.
[Page: D428]
OVERSIGHT--MINERAL RIGHTS AND FEDERAL EMPLOYEE PAYMENTS
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an
oversight hearing to examine the laws, policies, practices, and operations of
the Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, and other agencies
pertaining to payments to their employees, including payments relative to
mineral royalty programs and policies from public lands and Indian lands.
Testimony was heard from Bernard Kritzer, oil valuation expert, Department of
Commerce; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans held a hearing on H.R. 2875, to amend the Klamath River Basin Fishery
Resources Restoration Act to provide for tribal representation on the Klamath
Fishery Management Council, to clarify allocation of the annual tribal catch.
Testimony was heard from Representative Herger; Michael Anderson, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; and public
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 1751, Carrizo Plain National Conservation
Act of 1999; and H.R. 4115, to authorize appropriations for the United States
Holocaust Memorial Museum. Testimony was heard from Representatives Capps and
Thomas; Molly McUsic, Counselor to the Secretary, Department of the Interior;
Sara J. Bloomfield, Director, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum; and a public
witness.
CONFERENCE REPORT--TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2000
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points of order
against the conference report to accompany H.R. 434, Trade and Development Act
of 2000, and against its consideration. The rule provides that the conference
report shall be considered as read. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Crane and Royce.
WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT REFORM AND IMPROVEMENT ACT
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Tax, Finance, and Exports held a
hearing on "Making the Work Opportunity Tax Credit a Success for Small
Business", focusing on H.R. 2101, Work Opportunity Tax Credit Reform and
Improvement Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from Representatives Rangel and
Weller; Roger Littlejohn, Coordinator, Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program,
Department of Labor and Workforce Development, State of Tennessee; and public
witnesses.
PREPAREDNESS AGAINST TERRORISM ACT
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Oversight,
Investigations, and Emergency Management held a hearing on H.R. 4210,
Preparedness Against Terrorism Act of 2000. Testimony was heard from James Lee
Witt, Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency; Charles Cragin, Acting
Under Secretary, Personnel and Readiness, Department of Defense; Dale Watson,
Assistant Director, Counterterrorism Activities Division, FBI, Department of
Justice; and public witnesses.
SOCIAL SECURITY REPRESENTATIVE PAYEES
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing on
Social Security representative payees. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the SSA: Susan M. Daniels, Deputy Commissioner, Disability and
Income Security Programs; and James G. Huse, Jr., Inspector General; and
public witnesses.
STATE DEPARTMENT SECURITY AND COUNTERINTELLIGENCE PRACTICES
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on State Department Security and Counterintelligence Practices.
Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.
2000/05/08
Daily Digest - Monday, May 8, 2000; pages D434 - D438
Committee Meetings
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation approved for full
Committee action the Transportation appropriations for fiscal year 2001.
[Page: D436]
OVERSIGHT--2000 CENSUS
Committee on Government Reform: On May 5, the Subcommittee on the Census held
an oversight hearing of the 2000 Census: Status of Non-Response Follow-up.
Testimony was heard from Kenneth Prewitt, Director, Bureau of the Census,
Department of Commerce.
DC RECEIVERSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT; DC'S CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES
RECEIVERSHIP
Committee on Government Reform: On May 5, the Subcommittee on the District of
Columbia approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 3995,
amended, District of Columbia Receivership and Accountability Act of 2000; and
H.R. 4387, to provide that the School Governance Charter Amendment Act of 2000
shall take effect upon the date such Act is ratified by the voters of the
District of Columbia.
Prior to this action, the Subcommittee held a hearing on "For Better or Worse?
An Examination of the State of the District of Columbia's Child and Family
Services Receivership." Testimony was heard from Representative DeLay; Cynthia
Fagnoni, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues, GAO; the
following officials of the District of Columbia: Carolyn Graham, Deputy Mayor,
Children, Youth and Families; Ernestine F. Jones, General Receiver, Child and
Family Services; and Grace Lopes, Special Counsel, Receivership and
Institutional Litigation; Judith Meltzer, Deputy Director, Center for the
Study of Social Policy, a court-appointed monitor of Child and Family
Services; and Kimberley A. Shellman, Executive Director, The District of
Columbia Children's Advocacy Center.
2000/05/09
Daily Digest - Tuesday, May 9, 2000; pages D440- D446
Committee Meetings
SUBALLOCATION OF BUDGET ALLOCATIONS; MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND LEGISLATIVE
BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the following: a report on the
Suballocation of Budget Allocations for fiscal year 2001; the Military
Construction and the Legislative Branch appropriations for fiscal year 2001.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Procurement approved for
full Committee action H.R. 4205, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2001.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Research and Development approved
for full Committee action H.R. 4205, National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2001.
CARDIAC ARREST SURVIVAL ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment approved for
full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 2498, Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of
1999.
Prior to this action, the Subcommittee held a hearing on Saving Lives: The
Cardiac Arrest Survival Act. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE COOPERATION ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Employer Employee
Relations held a hearing on H.R. 1093, Public Safety Employer-Employee
Cooperation Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from Gene Kinsey, Mayor, Grand
Junction, State of Colorado; George Costello, Legislative Attorney, American
Law Division, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress; and public
witnesses.
DEBT PAYMENT INCENTIVE ACT
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing on H.R. 4181, Debt Payment
Incentive Act of 2000. Testimony was heard from Cornelia M. Ashby, Associate
Director, Tax Policy and Administration Issues, GAO; Deidre Lee,
Administrator, Office of Federal Procurement Policy, OMB; Joe Mikrut, Tax
Legislative Council, Department of the Treasury; Carol Covey, Deputy Director,
Defense Procurement, Department of Defense; and Sally Thompson, Chief
Financial Officer, USDA.
DOD'S FINANCIAL AUDIT RESULTS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing on the "Results of the Department
of Defense's Fiscal Year 1999 Financial Statements Audit". Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Robert J.
Lieberman, Assistant Inspector General, Auditing; William J. Lynn, Under
Secretary (Comptroller); Gen. John G. Coburn, USA, Commanding General, U.S.
Army Material Command; Vice Adm. James F. Amerault, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval
Operations; and Gen. Lester L. Lyles, USAF, Commander, Air Force Material
Command; and Jeffrey C. Steinhoff, Acting Assistant Comptroller General,
Accounting and Information Management Division, GAO.
AFRICA'S DIAMONDS
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa held a hearing on
Africa's Diamonds: Precious, Perilous Too? Testimony was heard from Ambassador
Howard Jeter, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs,
Department of State; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported H.R. 4034, Patent and Trademark
Office Reauthorization Act.
The Committee also began markup of H.R. 4227, Technology Worker Temporary
Relief Act.
Will continue tomorrow.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 2267, Willing Seller Amendments of 1999
to the National Trails System Act; H.R. 2409, El Camino Real de los Tejas
National Historic Trail Act of 1999; and H.R. 4086, to amend the National
Trails System Act to require that property owners be compensated when certain
railbanked trails are developed for purposes of public use. Testimony was
heard from Representatives Rodriguez, McInnis and Ryun of Kansas; Katherine
Stevenson, Associate Director, Stewardship and Partnerships, National Park
Service, Department of the Interior; Darwin Hindman, Mayor, Columbia, State of
Missouri; and public witnesses.
CONSERVATION AND REINVESTMENT ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing 90
minutes of general debate D444on H.R. 701, Conservation and Reinvestment Act
of 1999. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the
bill. The rule makes in order the text of H.R. 4377 as an original bill for
the purpose of amendment, in lieu of the amendment in the nature of a
substitute now printed in the bill, which shall be considered as read. The
rule waives all points of order against the amendment in the nature of a
substitute. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules
Committee report accompanying the resolution. The rule provides that the
amendments made in order may be offered only in the order printed in the
report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be
considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report
equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be
subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of
the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives
all points of order against the amendments printed in the report. The rule
permits the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during
consideration of the bill, and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a
postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the
rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Testimony
was heard from Chairman Young of Alaska and Representatives Calvert. Pombo,
Thornberry, Hill of Montana, Gibbons, Souder, Walden of Oregon, Simpson,
Regula, McHugh. Moran of Kansas, Ose, Sweeney, George Miller of California,
Kind, Udall of Colorado and Clayton.
[Page: D444]
INTERNET NONDISCRIMINATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a modified open rule providing one
hour of general debate on H.R. 3709, Internet Nondiscrimination Act. The rule
waives clause 4(a) of rule XIII (requiring a three-day layover of the
committee report) against consideration of the bill. The rule makes in order
the Committee on the Judiciary amendment in the nature of a substitute now
printed in the bill as an original bill for the purpose of amendment, which
shall be open for amendment at any point. The rule provides that the amendment
process shall not exceed 2 hours. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord
priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in
the Congressional Record. The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the
Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill, and to reduce voting
time to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen
minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or
without instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Gekas, Bachus,
Thune, Istook, Jackson-Lee of Texas, Delahunt and McCarthy of Missouri.
INTERNET, DISTANCE LEARNING AND THE FUTURE OF THE RESEARCH UNIVERSITY
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Basic Research held a hearing on the
Internet, Distance Learning and the Future of the Research University.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS--INCREASING USE AND MISUSE
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing to
examine the increasing use and misuse of Social Security numbers. Testimony
was heard from Barbara D. Bovbjerg, Associate Director, Education, Workforce
and Income Security Issues, Health, Education and Human Services Division,
GAO; James G. Huse, Jr., Inspector General, SSA; and public witnesses.
Hearings continue May 11.
2000/05/10
Daily Digest - Wednesday, May 10, 2000; pages D447 - D454
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported, Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations for fiscal
year 2001.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education approved for full Committee action the Labor, Health and Human
Services, and Education appropriations for fiscal year 2001.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Armed Services: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4205, National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001.
INTERNET ACCESS CHARGE PROHIBITION ACT
Committee on Commerce: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 1291, Internet
Access Charge Prohibition Act of 1999.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection approved for full Committee action, as amended, the following
bills: H.R. 4201, Noncommercial Broadcasting Freedom of Expression Act of
2000; and H.R. 3489, Wireless Telecommunications Sourcing and Privacy Act.
TRAINING AND EDUCATION FOR AMERICAN WORKERS ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R.
4402, Training and Education for American Workers Act of 2000.
JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER ACQUISITION REFORM
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans'
Affairs and International Relations held a hearing on Joint Strike Fighter
Acquisition Reform: Will it Fly? Testimony was heard from Louis J. Rodrigues,
Director, National Security and International Affairs Division, GAO; the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Stan Soloway, Deputy
Secretary, Acquisition Reform; and Maj. Gen. Raymond Huot, USAF, Acquisition
Programs, U.S. Air Force; and public witnesses.
CHINA--GRANTING PERMANENT NORMAL RELATIONS
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on Granting Permanent
Normal Relations (PNTR) Status to China: Is It in the U.S. National Interest?
Testimony was heard from Representatives Cox and Levin; and public witnesses.
COMPREHENSIVE BUDGET PROCESS REFORM ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule on H.R. 853,
Comprehensive Budget Process Reform Act, providing 90 minutes of general
debate, with 40 minutes equally divided between and controlled by the chairman
and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Budget, 30 minutes equally
divided between and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of
the Committee on Rules, and 20 minutes equally divided between and controlled
by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations. The rule provides that, in lieu of the amendments recommended
by the Committees on the Budget, Appropriations, and Rules now printed in the
bill, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of
amendment the amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text
of H.R. 4397, which shall be considered as read. The rule provides for
consideration of only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report
accompanying the resolution, which may be offered only in the order printed in
the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be
considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report
equally divided between the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to
amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question
in the D452House or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points
of order against the amendments printed in the Rules Committee report. The
rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes
during consideration of the bill, and to reduce voting time to five minutes on
a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the
rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony
was heard from Representatives Nussle, Bass, Ryan of Wisconsin, Gekas, Barton
of Texas, Cox, Tancredo, Holt, Forbes and Berkley.
[Page: D452]
BUDGET REQUEST--NASA'S EARTH SCIENCE PROGRAM
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on
Fiscal Year 2001 Budget Request: NASA's Earth Science Program. Testimony was
heard from Ghassem Asrar, Associate Administrator, Earth Science, NASA; and
public witnesses.
LOVE BUG VIRUS
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing on the Love
Bug Virus: Protecting Love Sick Computers from Malicious Attack. Testimony was
heard from Keith Rhodes, Technical Director, Office of the Chief Scientist,
GAO; and public witnesses.
INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session and
ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4392, Intelligence Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2001.
2000/05/11
Daily Digest - Thursday, May 11, 2000; pages D455 - D464
Committee Meetings
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session
and ordered reported the Defense appropriations for fiscal year 2001.
CHINA--PERMANENT NORMAL RELATIONS
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing on Permanent
Normal Relations for China: Impact on U.S. Financial Community. Testimony was
heard from Lawrence H. Summers, Secretary of the Treasury; Charlene
Barshefsky, U.S. Trade Representative; and public witnesses.
NEW ELECTRONIC MARKET COMPETITION
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials
continued hearings on Competition in the New Electronic Market: Part II.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
HEALTH CARE FAIRNESS ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
on H.R. 3250, Health Care Fairness Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Lewis of Georgia, Watts of Oklahoma, Jackson of Illinois,
Hayworth, Underwood and Rodriguez; David Satcher, U.S. Surgeon General,
Department of Health and Human Services; E. Anne Peterson, M.D., Health
Commissioner, State of Virginia; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORIZATIONS
Committee on Education and the Workforce, Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth, and Families held a hearing on Authorization of the National Center for
Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress, and
National Assessment Governing Board. Testimony was heard from Michael E. Ward,
Superintendent of Public Instruction, Department of Public Instruction, State
of North Carolina; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--2000 CENSUS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on the Census held an oversight
hearing of the 2000 Census: Non-Response Follow-up and Other Key Operations.
Testimony was heard from J. Christopher Mihm, Associate Director, Federal
Management and Workforce Issues, GAO.
[Page: D460]
DRUG SENTENCING POLICIES AND PRACTICES
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy,
and Human Resources held a hearing on Drug Sentencing Policies and Practices.
Testimony was heard from John Steer, Commissioner, U.S. Sentencing Commission;
the following officials of the Department of Justice: John Roth, Chief,
Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Section; and Thomas Kane, Assistant Director,
Information Policy and Public Affairs, Bureau of Prisons; George Allen, former
Governor, State of Virginia; and public witnesses.
STATE DEPARTMENT SECURITY
Committee on International Relations: . Held a hearing on Current Challenges
to State Department Security. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the Department of State: Jacquelyn L. Williams-Bridgers, Inspector General;
David Carpenter, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Diplomatic Security; and
Stapleton Roy, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Intelligence and Research; and
Tim Breznay, National Security Division, FBI, Department of Justice.
MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOURCING ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 4391, Mobile
Telecommunications Sourcing Act.
MILITARY EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION ACT; VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime approved for full Committee
action, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 3380, Military Extraterritorial
Jurisdiction Act of 1999; and H.R. 1248, Violence Against Women Act.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 894, No Second Chances for Murderers, Rapists, or Child
Molesters Act of 1999; H.R. 4045, Matthew's Law; H.R. 4047, Two Strikes and
You're Out Child Protection Act; and H.R. 4147, Stop Material Unsuitable for
Teens Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Cunningham, Green of
Wisconsin, Salmon and Tancredo; Mike Lawlor, Representative, Assembly, State
of Connecticut; and public witnesses.
VALLES CALDERA PRESERVATION ACT
Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 3288, Valles Caldera
Preservation Act. Testimony was heard from James Lyons, Under Secretary,
Natural Resources and the Environment, USDA; Larry Finfer, Assistant Director,
Communications, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior; the
following officials of the State of New Mexico: Jeannette Wallace,
Representative; and Robert Gibson, County Councilor, Los Alamos; and a public
witness.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3118, to direct the
Secretary of the Interior to issue regulations under the Migratory Bird Treaty
Act that authorize States to establish hunting seasons for double-crested
cormorants; H.R. 4070, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to correct a
map relating to the Coastal Barrier Resources System Unit P31, located near
the city of Mexico Beach, Florida; and H.R. 4318, Red River National Wildlife
Refuge Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives McCrery, McHugh, Peterson
of Minnesota, Boyd and Dickey; Daniel M. Ashe, Assistant Director, Refuges and
Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; and
public witnesses.
LAKE TAHOE RESTORATION ACT; COMMUNITY FOREST RESTORATION ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3388, Lake Tahoe Restoration Act; and S.
1288, Community Forest Restoration Act. Testimony was heard from
Representative Gibbons; Randy Phillips, Deputy Chief, Programs and
Legislation, Forest Service, USDA; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; COLORADO UTE SETTLEMENT ACT AMENDMENTS
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power approved for full
Committee action the following bills: H.R. 3023, amended, to authorize the
Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to convey
property to the Greater Yuma Port Authority of Yuma County, Arizona, for use
as an international port of entry; H.R. 4132, to reauthorize grants for water
resources research and technology institutes established under the Water
Resources Research Act of 1984; and S. 1211, to amend the Colorado River Basin
Salinity Control Act to authorize additional measures to carry out the control
of salinity upstream of Imperial Dam in a cost-effective manner.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on H.R. 3112, Colorado Ute Settlement Act
Amendments of 1999. Testimony was heard from David Hayes, Deputy Secretary,
Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
[Page: D461]
VETERANS AND DEPENDENTS MILLENNIUM EDUCATION ACT
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Ordered reported H.R. 4268, Veterans and
Dependents Millennium Education Act.
VETERANS AFFAIRS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology
(IT) program. Testimony was heard from Joel C. Willemssen, Director, Civil
Agencies Information Systems, Accounting and Information Management Division,
GAO; and the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs:
Richard J. Griffin, Inspector General; Harold F. Gracey, Jr., Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Information Technology; Dan L. Marsh, Associate Chief
Information Officer, Implementation and Training; Veterans Health
Administration; K. Adair Martinez, Chief Information Officer and Charles R.
DeCoste, Director, Data Management Office, both with the Veterans Benefits
Administration; and Vincent L. Barile, Director, Operations Support, National
Cemetery Administration.
ADMINISTRATION'S PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROPOSAL
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on the
Administration's prescription drug proposal. Testimony was heard from
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle, Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration,
Department of Health and Human Services; Dan L. Crippen, Director, CBO; and
William J. Scanlon, Director, Health Financing and Public Health Issues, GAO.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS--INCREASING USE AND MISUSE
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security concluded
hearings to examine the increasing use and misuse of Social Security numbers.
Testimony was heard from Representatives McDermott, Kleczka, Markey,
Hostettler and Paul; and public witnesses.
2000/05/15
Daily Digest - Monday, May 15, 2000; pages D466 - D470
Committee Meetings
PRIVACY COMMISSION ACT
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing on H.R. 4049, Privacy Commission
Act. Testimony was heard from John Spotilla, Administrator, Office of
Regulatory Affairs, OMB; David Veator, General Counsel, Office of Consumer
Affairs and Business Regulation, State of Massachusetts; Mike Hatch, Attorney
General, State of Minnesota; and a public witness.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule on H.R. 4425, making
appropriations for military construction, family housing, and base realignment
and closure for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September
30, 2001, providing one hour of general debate to be equally divided between
the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations.
The rule waives clause 4(c) of rule XIII (requiring the three-day availability
of printed hearings on a general appropriations bill) against consideration of
the bill. The rule waives clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting unauthorized or
legislative provisions in an appropriations bill) against provisions in the
bill. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to
Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. The
rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes
during consideration of the bill, and to reduce voting time to five minutes on
a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. The rule
provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Finally, the
rule provides that, for purposes of enforcement of the Congressional Budget
Act, the appropriate levels of new budget authority and total budget outlays
shall be those reflected in the table entitled "Conference Report Fiscal Year
2001 Budget Resolution Total Spending and Revenues" in House Report 106-577.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Hobson and Olver.
2000/05/16
Daily Digest - [Tuesday, May 15, 2000]; pages D471 - D478
Committee Meetings
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the Transportation
appropriations for fiscal year 2001.
GOVERNMENT SPONSORED ENTERPRISES--IMPROVING REGULATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets,
Securities, and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing on improving
regulation of the housing Government Sponsored Enterprises, focusing on H.R.
3703, Housing Finance Regulatory Improvement Act. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Housing and Urban Development:
Franklin Raines, Chairman and CEO, Fannie Mae; Leland Brendsel, Chairman and
CEO, Freddie Mac; and Curtis Hage, Chairman, Council of Federal Home Loan
Banks.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy and Power approved for full
Committee action the following bills: H.R. 4288, amended, to clarify that
environmental protection, safety, and health provisions continue to apply to
the functions of the National Nuclear Security Administration to the same
extent as those provisions applied to those functions before transfer to the
Administration; S. 1937, to amend the Pacific Northwest Electric Power
Planning and Conservation Act to provide for sales of electricity by the
Bonneville Power Administration to joint operating entities; S. 422, amended,
to provide for Alaska state jurisdiction over small hydroelectric projects;
and H.R. 2335, amended, Hydroelectric Licensing Process Improvement Act of
1999.
CONSUMER SAFETY INITIATIVES
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on Consumer Safety Initiatives: Protecting the
Vulnerable, focusing on the following bills: H.R. 4145, Child Passenger
Protection Act of 2000; H.R. 2592, to amend the Consumer Products Safety Act
to provide that low-speed electric bicycles are consumer products subject to
such Act; and H.R. 3032, National Amusement Park Ride Safety Act of 1999.
Testimony was heard from Rosalyn G. Millman, Deputy Administrator, National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation; the
following officials of the Consumer Product Safety Commission: Ann Brown,
Chairman; D475May Sheila Gall and Thomas H. Moore, both Commissioners; and
public witnesses.
[Page: D475]
RITALIN USE AMONG YOUTH
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth, and Families held a hearing on Ritalin Use Among Youth: Examining the
Issues and Concerns. Testimony was heard from Representatives Pryce of Ohio
and Kucinich; Terrance Woodworth, Deputy Director, Office of Diversion
Control, DEA, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.
PRIVACY COMMISSION ACT
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology concluded hearings on H.R. 4049, Privacy
Commission Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Markey and Greenwood;
and public witnesses.
CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN LATIN AMERICA
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Economic
Policy and Trade held a hearing on Conducting Business in Latin America:
Challenges and Opportunities. Testimony was heard from George Munoz, President
and CEO, Overseas Private Investment Corporation; Bryan Samuel, Acting
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, Department of
State; Regina Vargo, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Western Hemisphere,
International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce; and public
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 3605, San Rafael
Western Legacy District and National Conservation Act.
The Committee also held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 946, Graton
Rancheria Restoration Act; H.R. 2671, Yankton Sioux Tribe and Santee Sioux
Tribe of Nebraska Development Trust Fund Act; and H.R. 4148, Tribal Contract
Support Cost Technical Amendments of 2000. Testimony was heard from
Representative Woolsey; Kevin Gover, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Indian
Affairs, Department of the Interior; Michael H. Trujillo, M.D., Director,
Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services; and public
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health approved for
full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 3657, amended, to provide for
the conveyance of a small parcel of public domain land in the San Bernardino
National Forest in the State of California; H.R. 3817, amended, to redesignate
the Big South Trail in the Comanche Peak Wilderness Area of Roosevelt National
Forest in Colorado as the `Jaryd Atadero Legacy Trail'; H.R. 4226, amended,
Black Hills National Forest and Rocky Mountain Research Station Improvement
Act; H.R. 3388, amended, Lake Tahoe Restoration Act; S. 1374, Jackson
Multi-Agency Campus Act of 1999; and S. 1288, Community Forest Restoration
Act.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3632, Golden Gate National Recreation
Area Boundary Adjustment Act of 2000; H.R. 4063, Rosie the Riveter-World War
II Home Front National Historical Park Establishment Act of 2000; and H.R.
4125, to provide a grant under the urban park and recreation recovery program
to assist in the development of a Millennium Cultural Cooperative Park in
Youngstown, Ohio. Testimony was heard from Representatives Lantos, George
Miller of California and Traficant; John Reynolds, Regional Director, Pacific
West Region, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; and public
witnesses.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule on H.R. 4205,
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 providing one hour of
general debate equally divided and controlled between the chairman and ranking
minority member of the Committee on Armed Services. The rule waives all points
of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that it shall be
in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment, the
amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Armed
Services now printed in the bill. The rule waives all points of order against
the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. The rule provides that
no amendment to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be
in order except those printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the
resolution or specified by a subsequent order of the House, amendments en bloc
described in section 3 of the resolution, and pro forma amendments offered by
the chairman or ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services for
the purpose of debate. The rule provides that, except as specified in section
5 of the resolution, each amendment printed in the report shall be considered
only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member
designated in the report, shall be D476considered as read, and shall not be
subject to a demand for a division of the question in the House or in the
Committee of the Whole.
[Page: D476]
The rule provides that, unless otherwise specified in the report, each
amendment printed in the report shall be debatable for 10 minutes equally
divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent and shall not be
subject to amendment (except that the chairman and ranking minority member of
the Committee on Armed Services may each offer one pro forma amendment for the
purpose of debate on any pending amendment). The rule waives all points of
order against the amendments printed in the report or amendments en bloc
described in section 3 of the resolution.
The rule provides that it shall be in order at any time for the chairman of
the Committee on Armed Services or his designee to offer amendments en bloc
consisting of amendments printed in the report not earlier disposed of or
germane modifications of any such amendment, which shall be considered as read
(except that modifications shall be reported), shall be debatable for 40
minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on Armed Services or their designees, shall not be
subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of
the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule provides
that, for the purpose of inclusion in such amendments en bloc, an amendment
printed in the form of a motion to strike may be modified to the form of a
germane perfecting amendment to the text originally proposed to be stricken.
The rule provides that the original proponent of an amendment included in such
amendments en bloc may insert a statement in the Congressional Record
immediately before the disposition of the amendments en bloc. The rule allows
the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone until a time during
further consideration of the bill a request for a recorded vote on any
amendment and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a postponed question if
the vote follows a fifteen vote.
The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to recognize for
the consideration of any amendment printed in the report out of the order
printed, but not sooner than one hour after the chairman of the Committee on
Armed Services or a designee announces from the floor a request to that
effect. Finally, the rule provides that, after disposition of the amendments
printed in the report, the Committee of the Whole shall rise without motion
and no further consideration of the bill shall be in order except pursuant to
a subsequent order of the House. Testimony was heard from Chairman Spence and
Representatives Kasich, Talent, Thornberry, Ryun of Kansas, Gibbons, Cox,
Camp, Bachus, Bryant, Shays, Sanford, Wamp, Weldon of Florida, Whitfield,
Thune, Vitter, Skelton, Taylor of Mississippi, Allen, Sanchez, Rodriguez,
Tauscher, Andrews, Hill of Indiana, Moakley, Markey, Stenholm, Frank of
Massachusetts, Berman, Kanjorski, Traficant, Kaptur, McCarthy of New York,
Velazquez, Strickland, Luther, Lofgren, Blagojevich, Shows, Udall of Colorado,
Baird, Baca and Berkley.
TRADE WITH CHINA
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Tax, Finance, and Exports held a
hearing on Trade with China Helps Small Business Exporters Work. Testimony was
heard from Representative Crane; Aida Alvarez, Administrator, SBA; and public
witnesses.
FUTURE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on the Future of Aviation Technology "Is the Sky the Limit?"
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the NASA: Dan Goldin,
Administrator; and Bruce Holmes, General Aviation Manager; Herman A. Rediess,
Director, Office of Aviation Research, FAA, Department of Transportation; and
public witnesses.
HEALTH CARE COVERAGE--FAMILIES LEAVING WELFARE
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on
Health Care Coverage for Families Leaving Welfare. Testimony was heard from
Representative Stark; Jean Hearne, Specialist in Social Legislation,
Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress; Don Winstead, Welfare
Reform Administrator, Department of Children and Families, State of Florida;
Kathleen Gifford, Assistant Secretary, Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning,
State of Indiana; Lynn V. Mitchell, M.D., Medicaid Director, State of
Oklahoma; and public witnesses.
INTERNET TAX ISSUES
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on
Internet tax issues. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
2000/05/17
Daily Digest - Wednesday, May 17, 2000; pages D480 - D488
Committee Meetings
TRADE RELATIONS WITH CHINA
Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing to review the Administration's
proposal for permanent normal trade relations with China. Testimony was heard
from William M. Daley, Secretary of Commerce; Dan Glickman, Secretary of
Agriculture; Charlene Barshefsky, U.S. Trade Representative; and public
witnesses.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior approved for full
Committee action the Interior appropriations for fiscal year 2001.
BANK MODERNIZATION ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Ordered reported, as amended,
H.R. 4209, Bank Reserves Modernization Act of 2000.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Commerce: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 3383, to
amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to remove separate treatment or exemption
for nuclear safety violations by nonprofit institutions; H.R. 3906, amended,
to ensure that the Department of Energy has appropriate mechanisms to
independently assess the effectiveness of its policy and site performance in
the areas of safeguards and security and cyber security; H.R. 4446, to ensure
that the Secretary of Energy may continue to exercise certain authorities
under the Price-Anderson Act through the Assistant Secretary of Energy for
Environment, Safety, and Health; H.R. 3852, to extend the deadline for
commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project in the State of
Alabama; S. 1236, to extend the deadline under the Federal Power Act for
commencement of the construction of the Arrowrock Dam Hydroelectric Project in
the State of Idaho; H.R. 4201, amended, Noncommercial Broadcasting Freedom of
Expression Act of 2000; H.R. 3489, Wireless Telecommunications Sourcing and
Privacy Act; and H.R. 2498, amended, Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 1999.
EMBASSY SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS STATUS
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on the Status of Embassy
Security Enhancements. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of State: Patrick F. Kennedy, Assistant D485Secretary, Bureau of
Administration; David Carpenter, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Diplomatic
Security; and Jacquelyn L. Williams-Bridgers, Inspector General.
[Page: D485]
NEW MILLENNIUM--U.S. AND THE CARIBBEAN
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
held a hearing on the U.S. and the Caribbean in the New Millennium: What is
the Agenda? Testimony was heard from Ambassador H.E. Richard Leighton Bernal,
Embassy of Jamaica; and public witnesses.
TECHNOLOGY WORKER TEMPORARY RELIEF ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4227,
Technology Worker Temporary Relief Act.
INTERNET TAX REFORM AND REDUCTION ACT; INTERNET TAX SIMPLIFICATION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 4267, Internet Tax Reform and
Reduction Act; and H.R. 4460, Internet Tax Simplification Act of 2000.
Testimony was heard from Ron Kirk, Mayor, Dallas, Texas; Paul Harris, Sr.,
member, House of Delegates, State of Virginia; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 297, Lewis and
Clark Rural Water System Act of 1999.
The Committee also held a hearing on H.R. 3999, Virgin Islands and Guam
Constitutional Self-Government Act of 2000. Testimony was heard from John
Berry, Assistant Secretary, Policy, Management and Budget, Department of the
Interior; the following officials of Guam: Carl T.C. Gutierrez, Governor;
Antonio R. Unpingco, Speaker, Legislature; and Chief Justice Benjamin J.F.
Cruz, Supreme Court; the following officials of the U.S. Virgin Islands:
Charles W. Turnbull, Governor; and Vargrave Richards, President Legislature;
and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION FUND NEEDS AND USES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an
oversight hearing on Assessing future needs and uses of the Abandoned Mine
Reclamation Fund established under Title IV of the Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act of 1977. Testimony was heard from Kathrine Henry, Acting
Director, Office of Surface Mining, Department of the Interior; Max Maxfield,
Auditor, State of Wyoming; and public witnesses.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Committee granted, by voice vote, a rule providing for the
further consideration of H.R. 4205, National Defense Authorization Act for
fiscal year 2001. The rule provides that no further amendment to the committee
amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be in order except those printed
in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution and pro forma
amendments offered by the chairman or ranking minority member of the Committee
on Armed Services for the purpose of debate. The rule provides that, except as
specified in section 4 of the resolution, each amendment printed in the report
shall be considered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered
only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, and
shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question in the House
or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule provides that, each amendment
printed in the report shall be debatable for the time specified in the report
equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent and shall not
be subject to amendment (except as specified in the report and except that the
chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services may
each offer one pro forma amendment for the purpose of debate on any pending
amendment). The rule waives all points of order against the amendments printed
in the report. The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to
postpone until a time during further consideration of the bill a request for a
recorded vote on any amendment and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a
postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. The rule allows
the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to recognize for the consideration
of any amendment printed in the report out of the order printed, but not
sooner than one hour after the chairman of the Committee on Armed Services or
a designee announces from the floor a request to that effect. Finally, the
rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions.
NATIONAL SCIENCE EDUCATION ACT
Committee on Science: Held a hearing on a Plan to Renew Science, Math,
Engineering and Technology Education in Kindergarten through 12th Grade: H.R.
4271, National Science Education Act. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
[Page: D486]
VA/DOD HEALTH CARE SHARING
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on
VA/DoD health care sharing. Testimony was heard from Stephen P. Backhus,
Director, Veterans' Affairs and Military Health Care Issues, Health,
Education, and Human Services Division, GAO; Thomas L. Garthwaite, M.D.,
Deputy Under Secretary, Health, Department of Veterans Affairs; the following
officials of the Department of Defense: Gwendolyn A. Brown, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Health Budgets and Financial Policy; and Lt. Gen. Paul K. Carlton,
Jr., USAF, Surgeon General, U.S. Air Force; and a public witness.
CHINA--NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS TREATMENT; REPEAL EXCISE TAX--TELEPHONE AND
OTHER COMMUNICATION SERVICES
Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported, as amended, the following
bills: H.R. 4444, to authorize extension of nondiscriminatory treatment
(normal trade relations treatment) to the People's Republic of China; and H.R.
3916, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on
telephone and other communication services.
2000/05/18
Daily Digest - Thursday, May 18, 2000; pages D490 - D498
Committee Meetings
"MEDICARE'S REGULATORY BURDEN ON PROVIDERS"
Committee on the Budget: Health Task Force held a hearing on "Medicare's
Regulatory Burden on Providers". Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH: PROTECTING SURPLUS CHIMPANZEES
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
on Biomedical Research: Protecting Surplus Chimpanzees. Testimony was heard
from John Strandberg, M.D., Director, Comparative Medicine, National Center
for Research Resources, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services; and
public witnesses.
FREEDOM AND PRIVACY RESTORATION ACT
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing on H.R. 220, Freedom and Privacy
Restoration Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from Representative Paul; Barbara
Bobvjerg, Associate Director, Education, Workforce and Income Security Issues,
Health, Education, and Human Services Division, GAO; Fritz Streckewald,
Associate Commissioner, Program Benefits, SSA; and public witnesses.
LOOMING FAMINE IN ETHIOPIA
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on Looming Famine in
Ethiopia. Testimony was heard from Hugh Q. Parmer, Assistant Administrator,
Bureau for Humanitarian Response, AID, Department of State; Catherine Bertini,
(via video-conference), Executive Director, World Food Programme, Special
Representative of the U.N. Secretary General to the Horn of Africa; and public
witnesses.
[Page: D496]
COMPLIANCE WITH AMERICANS FOR DISABILITIES ACT--ADA NOTIFICATION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing in
H.R. 3590, ADA Notification Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Foley and Shaw; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--PRIVACY AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property
held an oversight hearing on Privacy and Electronic Communications. Testimony
was heard from Andy Pincus, General Counsel, Department of Commerce; Jodie
Bernstein, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, FTC; and public witnesses.
VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION SAFETY ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held a hearing on H.R. 3410,
Volunteer Organization Safety Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Sessions and Granger; David R. Loesch, Assistant Director,
Criminal Justice Information Services Division, FBI, Department of Justice;
and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--MINERAL RIGHTS AND FEDERAL EMPLOYEE PAYMENTS
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources continued
oversight hearings to examine the laws, policies, practices, and operations of
the Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, and other agencies
pertaining to payments to their employees, including payments relative to
mineral royalty programs and policies from public lands and Indian lands.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Justice:
Stuart Schiffer, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division; and O.
Kenneth Dodd, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Texas; Robert A.
Berman, Economist, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and
Oceans approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 3535,
amended, Shark Finning Prohibition Act; H.R. 4408, to reauthorize the Atlantic
Striped Bass Conservation Act; and H.R. 4435, to clarify certain boundaries on
the map relating to Unit NCO of the Coastal Barrier Resources System.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on H.R. 2798, Pacific Salmon Recovery Act
of 1999. Testimony was heard from Representative Thompson of California; Dave
Benton, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Fish and Game, State of Alaska;
Jeff Koenings, Director, Department of Fish and Wildlife, State of Washington;
David Bunn, Deputy Director, Department of Fish and Game, State of California;
Geoff Huntington, Executive Director, Watershed Enhancement Board, State of
Oregon; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands
approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 2267, amended,
Willing Seller Amendments of 1999 to the National Trails System Act; H.R.
2409, El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Act of 1999; H.R.
2833, amended, Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Act of 1999; H.R. 2919,
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Act; H.R. 3661, amended, General
Aviation Access Act; and H.R. 4115, amended, to authorize appropriations for
the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on H.R. 4275, Colorado Canyons National
Conservation Area and the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness Act of 2000.
Testimony was heard from Representative McInnis; Molly McUsic, Counselor to
the Secretary, Department of the Interior; Tim Pollard, Assistant Director,
Department of Natural Resources, State of Colorado; and public witnesses.
INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a modified open rule on H.R. 4392,
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001, providing one hour of
general debate to be equally divided and controlled between the chairman and
ranking minority member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. The
rule waives points of order against consideration of the bill for failure to
comply with clause 4(a) of Rule XIII (requiring a three-day availability of
the report). The rule provides that it shall be in order to consider as an
original bill for the purpose of amendment the amendment in the nature of a
substitute recommended by the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence now
printed in the bill. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a
substitute shall be open for amendment by title. The rule waives points of
order against the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute for
failure to comply with clause 7 of rule XVI (prohibiting nongermane
amendments). The rule provides for the consideration of only pro forma
amendments for the purpose of debate and those amendments preprinted in the
Congressional Record prior to their consideration, which may be offered only
by D497the Member who caused it to be printed or his designee, and shall be
considered as read. The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole
to postpone votes during consideration of the bill and to reduce voting time
to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute
vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without
instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Goss and Representative Dixon.
[Page: D497]
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule on H.R. 4475, making
appropriations for the Department of Transportation and related agencies for
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, providing one hour of general
debate equally divided and controlled between the chairman and ranking
minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives all points
of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the
amendments printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution
shall be considered as adopted. The rule waives clause 2 of rule XXI
(prohibiting unauthorized or legislative provisions in an appropriations bill)
against provisions in the bill, as amended, except as otherwise specified in
the rule. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to
Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. The
rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes
during consideration of the bill, and to reduce voting time to five minutes on
a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the
rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony
was heard from Representatives Wolf and Sabo.
VA DISABILITY CLAIMS PROCESSING
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing on VA disability claims processing. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Michael
Slachta, Jr., Assistant Inspector General, Auditing; and Joseph Thompson,
Under Secretary, Benefits; Cynthia Bascetta, Associate Director, Health,
Education, and Human Services Division, GAO; representatives of veterans
organizations; and public witnesses.
CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on
Child Support Enforcement. Testimony was heard from Representatives Cox and
Castle; Olivia A. Golden, Assistant Secretary, Children and Families,
Department of Health and Human Services; Marilyn Ray Smith, Associate Deputy
Commissioner and Chief Legal Counsel, Child Support Enforcement Division,
Department of Revenue, State of Massachusetts; Howard Baldwin, Deputy Attorney
General, Office of Child Support, State of Texas; Laura Kadwell, Director,
Office of Child Support Enforcement, State of Minnesota; and public witnesses.
2000/05/19
Daily Digest - Friday, May 19, 2000 ; pages D499- D504
Committee Meetings
OVERSIGHT--2000 CENSUS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on the Census held an oversight
hearing on the 2000 Census: Accuracy and Coverage Evaluation-Still More
Questions than Answers. Testimony was heard from Kenneth Prewitt, Director,
Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce.
INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTION--HAGUE CONVENTION COMPLIANCE
Committee on International Relations: Favorably considered the following
resolution and adopted a motion urging the Chairman to request that it be
considered on the Suspension Calendar: H. Con. Res. 293, urging compliance
with the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child
Abduction.
2000/05/22
Daily Digest - Monday, May 22, 2000; pages D505 - D508
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
2000/05/23
Daily Digest - Tuesday, May 23, 2000 ; pages D510 - D518
Committee Meetings
VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
approved for full Committee action the VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
appropriations for fiscal year 2001.
U.S.--TERRORIST THREATS
Committee on Armed Services: Special Oversight Panel on Terrorism held a
hearing on terrorist threats to D515the United States. Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.
[Page: D515]
CHINA--PERMANENT NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials held a
hearing entitled: "PNTR: Opening the World's Biggest Potential Market to
American Financial Services Competition." Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY--WHISTLEBLOWERS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a
hearing entitled: "Whistleblowers at Department of Energy Facilities: Is There
Really `Zero Tolerance' for Contractor Retaliation?" Testimony was heard from
Mary Anne Sullivan, General Counsel, Department of Energy; Joe Gutierrez,
Assessor, Audits and Assessment Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory; and
public witnesses.
INTERNET--OBSCENE MATERIAL AVAILABLE
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on Obscene Material Available via the Internet.
Testimony was heard from Alan Gershel, Deputy Assistant Attorney General,
Criminal Division, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.
WEALTH THROUGH THE WORKPLACE ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Employer-Employee
Relations approved for full Committee action H.R. 3462, Wealth Through The
Workplace Act of 2000.
SECRET EVIDENCE REPEAL ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Held a hearing on H.R. 2121, Secret Evidence
Repeal Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from Representatives Campbell and
Bonior; the following officials of the Department of Justice: Larry R.
Parkinson, General Counsel, FBI; and Bo Cooper, General Counsel, Immigration
and Naturalization Service; and pubic witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--FEDERAL PUBLIC LANDS POLICIES
Committee on Resources: Held an oversight hearing on Funding of Environmental
Initiatives and their Influence on Federal Public Lands Policies. Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.
BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a
hearing on H.R. 3033, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to make certain
adjustments to the boundaries of Biscayne National Park in the State of
Florida. Testimony was heard from Representatives Ros-Lehtinen, Meek of
Florida, Hastings of Florida and Shaw; Denis Galvin, Deputy Director, National
Park Service, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
NORTHERN COLORADO WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT--WATER CONVEYANCE
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing on H.R.
4389, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain water
distribution facilities to the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District.
Testimony was heard from Eluid Martinez, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation,
Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
CHINA--NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS TREATMENT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule providing three
hours of debate on H.R. 4444, to authorize extension of nondiscriminatory
treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the People's Republic of
China, equally divided among and controlled by the chairman and ranking member
of the Committee on Ways and Means, Representative Stark of California, and
Representative Rohrabacher of California. The rule provides that, in lieu of
the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the
Committee on Ways and Means, the amendment in the nature of a substitute
printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying the rule shall be
considered as adopted. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with
or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Archer and
Representatives Crane, English, Bereuter, Hunter, Weldon of Pennsylvania,
Levin, Cardin, Markey, Berman, Pelosi and Sherman.
REPEAL EXCISE TAX ON TELEPHONE AND OTHER COMMUNICATION SERVICES
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule on H.R. 3916, to
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on telephone
and other communication services providing one hour of debate equally divided
and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Ways and Means. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of
the bill. The rule provides that the amendment recommended by the Committee on
Ways and Means now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted upon
adoption of the resolution. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit
with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Archer and
Representatives Towns and Wynn.
[Page: D516]
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing on Technology
Transfer Challenges and Partnerships: A Review of the Department of Commerce's
Biennial Report on Technology Transfer. Testimony was heard from Kelly H.
Carnes, Assistant Secretary, Technology Policy, Technology Administration,
Department of Commerce; and public witnesses.
2000/05/24
Daily Digest - Wednesday, May 24, 2000; pages D519 - D528
Committee Meetings
LABOR, HHS, AND EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the Labor, Health and Human
Services, and Education appropriations for fiscal year 2001.
PREDATORY LENDING PRACTICES
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing on Predatory
Lending Practices. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of the Treasury: Gary Gensler, Under Secretary, Domestic Finance;
Ellen S. Seidman, Director, Office of Thrift Supervision; and John D. Hawke,
Jr., Comptroller of the Currency; Bill Apgar, Assistant Secretary, Housing-FHA
Commissioner, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Edward Gramlich,
member, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; Donna Tanoue, Chairman,
FDIC; David Medine, Associate Director, Division of Financial Practices, FTC;
Andrew G. Celli, Bureau Chief, Civil Rights, Office of the Attorney General,
State of New York; and public witnesses.
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S FINANCIAL RECORDS
Committee on the Budget: Education Task Force held a hearing on "Education
Department Fails Accounting 101: The Department of Education's Unreliable
Financial Records." Testimony was heard from Gloria L. Jarmon, Director, Civil
Audits, GAO; Lorraine Lewis, Inspector General, Department of Education; and
public witnesses.
NATIONAL PARKS--CONCESSION CONTRACTS
Committee on the Budget: Natural Resources and the Environment Task Force held
a hearing on "Management Failures at the National Parks, Oversight Weaknesses
with Concession Contracts." Testimony was heard from Barry T. Hill, Associate
Director, Energy, Resources and Science Issues, GAO; Maureen Finnerty,
Associate Director, Operations and Education, National Park Service,
Department of the Interior; and a public witness.
NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a hearing on
National Energy Policy: Ensuring Adequate Supply of Natural Gas and Crude Oil.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Energy:
Jay Hakes, Administrator, Energy Information Administration; D525and Melanie
Kenderdine, Acting Director, Office of Policy; and public witnesses.
[Page: D525]
DOD CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL DEFENSE PROGRAM
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans
Affairs, and International Relations held a hearing on "DoD Chemical and
Biological Defense Program: Management and Oversight." Testimony was heard
from Kwai-Cheung Chan, Director, Special Studies and Evaluations, GAO; and
Anna Johnson-Winegar, Deputy Assistant to the Secretary, Chemical/Biological
Defense, Department of Defense.
COMMENDING ISRAEL's REDEPLOYMENT FROM SOUTHERN LEBANON
Committee on International Relations: Favorably considered the following
resolution and adopted a motion urging the Chairman to request that it be
considered on the Suspension Calendar: H. Con. Res. 331, commending Israel's
redeployment from southern Lebanon.
U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on the U.S. Commission on
International Religious Freedom: First Annual Report. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the U.S. Commission on International Religious
Freedom: Rabbi David Saperstein, Chair; Elliot Abrams and Nina Shea, both
Commissioners.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 3048,
amended, Presidential Threat Protection Act of 1999; H.R. 4108, amended,
Secure Our Schools Act; H.R. 4391, Mobile Telecommunications Sourcing Act;
H.R. 3489, amended, Wireless Telecommunications Sourcing and Privacy Act; and
S. 1515, Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 1999.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following bills: S. 1211, to
amend the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act to authorize additional
measures to carry out the control of salinity upstream of Imperial Dam in a
cost-effective manner; S. 1629, Oregon Exchange Act of 2000; H.R. 1775,
amended, Estuary Habitat Restoration Partnership Act of 1999; S. 1892, to
authorize the acquisition of the Valles Caldera, to provide for an effective
land and wildlife management program for this resource within the Department
of Agriculture; H.R. 3023, amended, to authorize the Secretary of the
Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to convey property to the
Greater Yuma Port Authority of Yuma County, Arizona, for use as an
international port of entry; H.R. 3176, to direct the Secretary of the
Interior to conduct a study to determine ways of restoring the natural
wetlands conditions in the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii; H.R.
3291, amended, Shivwits Band of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah Water Rights
Settlement Act; H.R. 3292, amended, to provide for the establishment of the
Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana; H.R.
3468, Duchesne City Water Rights Conveyance Act; H.R. 3535, amended, Shark
Finning Prohibition Act; H.R. 3999, amended, Virgin Islands and Guam
Constitutional Self-Government Act of 2000; H.R. 4132, to reauthorize grants
for water resources research and technology institutes established under the
Water Resources Research Act of 1984; and H.R. 4435, to clarify certain
boundaries on the map relating to Unit NCO1 of the Coastal Barrier Resources
System.
AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS 2001
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing one hour of
general debate on H.R. 4461, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001, equally divided
and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of
the bill. The rule provides that the amendments printed in the report of the
Committee on Rules accompanying the resolution shall be considered as adopted.
The rule waives points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to
comply with clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting unauthorized or legislative
provisions in a general appropriations bill), except as specified in the rule.
The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to accord priority
in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the
Congressional Record. The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the
Whole to postpone a request for a recorded vote on any amendment and reduce
voting time to five minutes on a postponed question, provided that the minimum
time for electronic voting on the first in any series of questions shall be
fifteen minutes. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or
without instructions.
CROP INSURANCE CONFERENCE REPORT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points of order
against the conference report on H.R. 2559, Agricultural Risk Protection
D526Act, and against its consideration. The rule provides that the conference
report shall be considered as read. Testimony was heard from Chairman Combest.
[Page: D526]
QUALITY HEALTH-CARE COALITION ACT
Committee on Rules: Held a hearing on H.R. 1304, Quality Health-Care Coalition
Act. Testimony was heard from Chairman Hyde and Representatives Thomas,
Campbell, Coburn and Conyers.
U.S. BILATERAL SPACE LAUNCH TRADE AGREEMENTS
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on
U.S. Bilateral Space Launch Trade Agreements. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
ONLINE MUSIC
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on "Online Music: Will Small Music
Labels and Entrepreneurs Prosper in the Internet Age?" Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.
OBSOLETE MARITIME ADMINISTRATION VESSELS DISPOSAL
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on the Disposal of Obsolete
Maritime Administration Vessels. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Transportation: Bonnie M. Green, Deputy
Administrator, Inland Waterways and Great Lakes, Maritime Administration; and
Thomas J. Howard, Deputy Assistant Inspector General, Maritime and
Departmental Programs; Rear Adm. Anthony W. Lengerich, USN, Director,
Industrial Capability, Maintenance Policy and Acquisition Logistics Division,
Department of the Navy, Department of Defense; and public witnesses.
2000/05/25
Daily Digest - Thursday, May 25, 2000; pages D529 - D536
Committee Meetings
DEFENSE AND INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the following appropriations for
fiscal year 2001: Defense and Interior.
[Page: D534]
NIGERIA IN TRANSITION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and
International Monetary Policy held a hearing on Nigeria in Transition.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the
Treasury: William Schuerch, Deputy Assistant Secretary, International
Development, Debt, and Environmental Policy; and Steve Radelet, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Africa, Middle East and South Asia; and public witnesses.
HUD ASSISTED HOUSING--INCOME VERIFICATION
Committee on the Budget: Housing and Infrastructure Task Force held a hearing
on "Lack of Income Verification in HUD Assisted Housing", the Need to
Eliminate Overpayments. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of Housing and Urban Development: Raymond A. Carolan, Special
Agent in Charge, New England District; Emil J. Schuster, Special Agent in
Charge, Southeast/Caribbean District, both with the Office of Inspector
General; and Saul Ramirez, Deputy Secretary; and a public witness.
INTERNET PHARMACEUTICAL SALES--ENFORCING THE LAWS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a
hearing entitled: "Enforcing the Laws on Internet Pharmaceutical Sales: Where
are the Feds?" Testimony was heard from William K. Hubbard, Senior Associate
Commissioner, Policy, Planning and Legislation, FDA, Department of Health and
Human Services; Ethan Posner, Deputy Associate Attorney General, Department of
Justice; Betsy Durant, Director, Office of Trade Programs, U.S. Customs
Service, Department of the Treasury; and Carla Stovall, Attorney General,
State of Kansas.
OVERSIGHT--BROADBAND TECHNOLOGIES DEPLOYMENT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held an oversight hearing on the deployment of broadband
technologies. Testimony was heard from Representatives Goodlatte and Cannon;
and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ordered reported, as amended, the
following bills: H.R. 4504, Higher Education Technical Amendments of 2000; and
H.R. 4079, to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct
a comprehensive fraud audit of the Department of Education.
COPYRIGHT OFFICE AND SOUND RECORDINGS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property
held an oversight hearing on "The United States Copyright Office and Sound
Recordings as Work for Hire." Testimony was heard from Marybeth Peters,
Register of Copyright, Copyright Office of the United States, Library of
Congress; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--FEDERAL AGENCIES AND AIRPORTS SECURITY BREACHES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held an oversight hearing on
"Breaches of Security at Federal Agencies and Airports." Testimony was heard
from Robert Hast, Assistant Controller General, Special Investigations, Office
of Special Investigations, GAO.
AMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS AND WORKFORCE IMPROVEMENT ACT IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims held an
oversight hearing on "The Status of Regulations Implementing the American
Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998.," Testimony was heard
from John Fraser, Deputy Administrator, Wage and Hour Division, Employment
Standards Administration, Department of Labor; John Spotila, Administrator,
Office of Information Policy and Regulatory Affairs, OMB; and public
witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--OCEAN RESEARCH ADVISORY PANEL REPORT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans and the Subcommittee on Military Research and Development of the
Committee on Armed Services held a joint oversight hearing on the Ocean
Research Advisory Panel report, An Integrated Ocean Observing System: A
Strategy for Implementing the First Steps of a U.S. Plan. Testimony was heard
from D. James Baker, Under Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA, Department
of Commerce; Rear Adm. Paul Gaffney, USN, Chief of Naval Research, Department
of the Navy, Department of Defense; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--SNOWMOBILE RECREATION IN NATIONAL PARKS
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held
an oversight hearing on Snowmobile Recreation in National Parks, particularly
Yellowstone National Park. Testimony was heard from Senator Grams;
Representatives Peterson of Minnesota, Oberstar, Chenoweth-Hage and Walden of
Oregon; Donald J. Berry, Assistant Secretary, D535Fish and Wildlife and Parks,
Department of the Interior; Jerry Johnson, Mayor, West Yellowstone, State of
Montana; Kim Raap, Manager, State Trails Program, Division of State Parks and
Historic Site, Department of Commerce, State of Wyoming; and public witnesses.
[Page: D535]
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Small Business: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 4530,
New Markets Venture Capital Program Act of 2000; and H.R. 4464, amended, to
amend the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small
Business Administration to make grants and to enter into cooperative
agreements to encourage the expansion of business-to-business relationships
and the provision of certain information.
SMALL COMMUNITY ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE PROGRAM
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on the Future of the Small Community Essential Air Service Program.
Testimony was heard from John H. Anderson, Jr., Director, Transportation
Issues, Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division, GAO; A.
Bradley Mims, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Aviation and International Affairs,
Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.
PREPAREDNESS AGAINST TERRORISM ACT
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Oversight,
Investigations, and Emergency Management approved for full Committee action,
as amended, H.R. 4210, Preparedness Against Terrorism Act of 2000.
VETERANS AFFAIRS AND DOD'S JOINT PHARMACY PROCUREMENT
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of
Defense joint pharmacy procurement. Testimony was heard from Steven P.
Backhus, Director, Veterans' Affairs and Military Health Care Issues, Health,
Education, and Human Services Division, GAO; the following officials of the
Department of Defense: Robert J. Lieberman, Assistant Inspector General,
Auditing; Brig. Gen. Daniel Mongeon, USA, Commander, Defense Supply Center,
Philadelphia; and Capt. Charles Hostettler, MSC, USN, Director, DoD, Pharmacy
Programs, TRICARE Management Activity; the following officials of the
Department of Veterans Affairs: Gary J. Krump, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Acquisitions and Material Management; and John Ogden, Chief Consultant,
Pharmacy Benefits Management Group, Veterans Health Administration; and a
public witness.
DEATH TAX ELIMINATION ACT
Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 8, Death Tax
Elimination Act.
GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
briefing on Global Developments. Testimony was heard from departmental
witnesses.
2000/06/06
Daily Digest - Tuesday, June 6, 2000; pages D537 - D546
Committee Meetings
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and
Judiciary approved for full Committee action the Commerce, Justice, State, and
Judiciary appropriations for fiscal year 2001.
INDEPENDENT COUNSEL ACT--JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing on the Justice Department's
Implementation of the Independent Counsel Act. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Justice: Lee Radek, Public Integrity
Section Chief; and Neil Gallagher, Assistant Director for Terrorism, FBI; and
William Esposito, former Deputy Director, FBI, Department of Justice.
"DRUGS IN THE MAIL: HOW CAN THEY BE STOPPED?"
Committee on Government Reform: On May 26, the Subcommittee on Criminal
Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources held a hearing on "Drugs in the Mail:
How Can They be Stopped?" Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of Justice: Joseph D. Keefe, Special Agent in Charge, DEA; and
W.K. Williams, Assistant Section Chief, Drug Section, Criminal Investigative
Division, FBI; Kevin Dellicolli, Director, Cyber Smuggling, Office of
Investigations, U.S. Customs Service, Department of the Treasury; Kenneth
Newman, Deputy Chief Postal Inspector, Criminal Investigations, U.S. Postal
Service; and public witnesses.
[Page: D541]
FEDERAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT ACT COMPLIANCE
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing on Compliance with the Federal
Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996: Agencies Continue to Struggle.
Testimony was heard from Joshua Gotbaum, Executive Associate Director and
Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, OMB; Jeffrey C. Steinhoff,
Assistant Comptroller General, Accounting and Information Management Division,
GAO; Thomas P. Skelley, Director, Budget Service and Acting Chief Financial
Officer, Department of Education; Arnold G. Holz, Chief Financial Officer,
NASA; and Karen C. Alderman, Executive Director, Joint Financial Management
Improvement Program.
OVERSIGHT--AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION AND THE WORLD WAR II
MEMORIAL
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans
Affairs, and International Relations held an oversight hearing on the American
Battle Monuments Commission and the World War II Memorial. Testimony was heard
from David L. Clark, Director, Audit Oversight and Liaison, Accounting and
Information Management Division, GAO; Maj. Gen. John P. Herrling, USA (Ret.),
Secretary, American Battle Monuments Commission; former Senator Robert J. Dole
of Kansas, Co-Chairman, U.S. World War II Memorial Project; and
representatives of veterans organizations.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 4576, making appropriations for the Department of Defense for
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001. The rule waives all points of order
against consideration of the bill. The rule waives points of order against
provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI
(prohibiting unauthorized or legislative provisions in a general
appropriations bill and prohibiting reappropriations in a general
appropriations bill). The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in
recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the
Congressional Record. The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the
Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill, and to reduce voting
time to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen
minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without
instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Lewis of California and
Murtha.
LABOR, HHS, AND EDUCATION AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 4577, making appropriations for the Departments of Labor,
Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2001. The rule waives all points of order against
consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the amendments printed in
part A of the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution shall be
considered as adopted. The rule waives clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting
unauthorized or legislative provisions in an appropriations bill) against
provisions in the bill, as amended, except as otherwise specified in the rule.
The rule provides that the amendment printed in part B of the Rules Committee
report may be offered only by a Member designated in the report and only at
the appropriate point in the reading of the bill, shall be considered as read,
shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and
controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to
amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question
in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of
order against the amendment printed in part B of the report. The rule also
waives clause 2(e) of rule XXI (prohibiting non-emergency designated
amendments to be offered to an appropriations bill containing an emergency
designation) against amendments offered during consideration of the bill. The
rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who
have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. The rule allows
the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during
consideration of the bill, and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a
postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the
rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony
was heard from Representatives Porter, Upton, Ryan of Wisconsin, Wilson, Obey,
Roemer and Davis of Florida.
SAN RAFAEL WESTERN LEGACY DISTRICT AND NATIONAL CONSERVATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 3605. San Rafael Western Legacy District and National
Conservation Act. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of
the bill. The rule makes in order the Committee on Resources amendment in the
nature of a substitute, now printed in the bill, as an original bill for the
purpose of amendment, which shall be open for amendment at any point. D542The
rule provides that the amendment printed in the report of the Committee on
Rules accompanying the resolution shall be considered as read and shall not be
subject to a demand for a division of the question in the House or in the
Committee of the Whole. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in
recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the
Congressional Record. The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the
Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill, and to reduce voting
time to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen
minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without
instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Hansen and Cannon.
[Page: D542]
2000/06/07
Daily Digest - Wednesday, June 7, 2000; pages D547 - D556
Committee Meetings
VA, HUD, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the VA, HUD and Independent
Agencies appropriations for fiscal year 2001.
CAPITAL MARKETS AND THE NEW ECONOMY
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets,
Securities and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing on Capital
Markets and the New Economy. Testimony was heard from Gary Gensler, Under
Secretary, Domestic Finance, Department of the Treasury; Laurence H. Meyer,
member, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; and public witnesses.
CANCER CARE FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM
Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing on Cancer Care for the New
Millennium-Integrative Oncology. Testimony was heard from Representative Pryce
of Ohio; the following officials of the Department of Health and Human
Services: Steven Strauss, M.D., Director, National Center for Complementary
and Alternative Medicine; Robert Wittes, M.D., Deputy Director, Extramural
Science, National Cancer Institute; Jeffery Kang, M.D., Director, Office of
Clinical Standards and Quality, Health Care and Financing Administration; and
Robert Pazdur, Director, Division of Oncology Drug Products, FDA; and public
witnesses.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following bills: S. 439, to amend
the National Forest and Public Lands of Nevada Enhancement Act of 1988, to
adjust the boundary of the Toiyabe National Forest, Nevada; H.R. 946, Graton
Rancheria Restoration Act; S. 1374, Jackson Multi-Agency Campus Act of 1999;
H.R. 2773, amended, Wekiva Wild and Scenic River Act of 1999; H.R. 2778,
amended, Taunton River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 1999; H.R. 2833,
amended, Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Act of 1999; H.R. 3084, amended,
to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to contribute funds for the
establishment of an interpretative center on the life and contributions of
President Abraham Lincoln; H.R. 3236, amended, to authorize the Secretary of
the Interior to enter into contracts with the Weber Basin Water Conservancy
District, Utah, to use Weber Basin Project facilities for the impounding,
storage, and carriage of nonproject water for domestic, municipal, industrial,
and other beneficial purposes; H.R. 3657, amended, to provide for D553the
conveyance of a small parcel of public domain land in the San Bernardino
National Forest in the State of California; H.R. 3817, amended, to redesignate
the Big South Trail in the Comanche Peak Wilderness Area of Roosevelt National
Forest in Colorado as the "Jaryd Atadero Legacy Trail;" H.R. 4115, amended, to
authorize appropriations for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; and
H.R. 4408, to reauthorize the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act.
[Page: D553]
FEDERAL LANDS--FIRE MANAGEMENT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health and the
Subcommittee on National Oaks and Public Lands held a joint oversight hearing
on Fire Management on Federal Lands. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Udall of New Mexico, Skeen, Wilson and Goodlatte; Bob Stanton, Director,
National Park Service, Department of the Interior; the following officials of
the Forest Service, USDA; Janice McDougal, Deputy Chief, State and Private
Forestry; Jose Cruz, Director, Fire and Aviation Management; and Lyle Laverty,
Regional Forester, Rocky Mountain Region; the following officials of the State
of New Mexico: Gary Johnson, Governor; and David Venable, Mayor, Village of
Cloudcroft; Richard Burick, Deputy Director, Operations, Los Alamos National
Laboratory; and public witnesses.
DEATH TAX ELIMINATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote, a modified closed rule on H.R. 8,
Death Tax Elimination Act, providing one hour of debate equally divided and
controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Ways and Means. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of
the bill. The rule provides that the amendment recommended by the Committee on
Ways and Means now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted. The
rule provides for consideration of the amendment in the nature of a
substitute, printed in the report, if offered by Representative Rangel or his
designee, which shall be considered as read and shall be separately debatable
for one hour equally divided between the proponent and an opponent. Finally,
the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
Testimony was heard from Chairman Archer and Representatives Rangel, Doggett
and Sherman.
LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS 2001
Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote, an open rule providing one hour of
general debate on H.R. 4577, making appropriations for the Departments of
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2001. The rule waives all points of order
against consideration of the bill and provides that the amendments printed in
part A of the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution shall be
considered as adopted. The rule waives clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting
unauthorized or legislative provisions in an appropriations bill) against
provisions in the bill, as amended, except as otherwise specified in the rule.
The rule provides that the amendment printed in part B of the Rules Committee
report may be offered only by a Member designated in the report and only at
the appropriate point in the reading of the bill, shall be considered as read,
shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and
controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to
amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question
in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of
order against the amendment printed in part B of the report. The rule also
waives clause 2(e) of rule XXI (prohibiting non-emergency designated
amendments to be offered to an appropriations bill containing an emergency
designation) against amendments offered during consideration of the bill. The
rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who
have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. The rule allows
the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during
consideration of the bill, and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a
postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. The rule
provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Finally, the
rule lays H. Res. 515 on the table.
REGULATORY REFORM INITIATIVES--IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESS
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on Regulatory Reform Initiatives
and Their Impact on Small Business. Testimony was heard from John T. Spotila,
Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB; and public
witnesses.
ROUND II EMPOWERMENT ZONES FUTURE
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Business
Opportunities and Special Small Business Problems held a hearing on the Future
of Round II Empowerment Zones. Testimony was heard from Representatives Bono
and Capuano; Maria Matthews, Deputy Administrator, Rural Development, Office
of Community Development, USDA; and public witnesses.
[Page: D554]
COAST GUARD OPERATIONAL CUTS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on Coast Guard Fiscal Year 2000
Operational Cuts. Testimony was heard from Adm. James M. Loy, USCG,
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation.
2000/06/08
Daily Digest - Thursday, June 8, 2000; pages D558 - D566
Committee Meetings
INTERNATIONAL COUNTER-MONEY LAUNDERING ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Ordered reported, as amended,
H.R. 3886, International Counter-Money Laundering Act of 2000.
CORPORATE WELFARE REFORM COMMISSION ACT
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the "Corporate Welfare Reform
Commission Act, Unjustified Business Subsidies and Legislation aimed at
Addressing Them." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a hearing
entitled: "National Energy Policy: The Future of Nuclear and Coal Power in the
United States." Testimony was heard from William D. Magwood, IV, Director,
Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, Department of Energy; and
public witnesses.
COUNTERFEIT BULK DRUGS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a
hearing on Counterfeit Bulk Drugs. Testimony was heard from Dennis Baker,
Associate Commissioner, Regulatory Affairs, FDA, Department of Health and
Human Services.
CANCER CARE FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM
Committee on Government Reform: Concluded hearings on Cancer Care for the New
Millennium-Integrative Oncology. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
DEBT COLLECTING IMPROVEMENT ACT IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held an oversight hearing on the Implementation of
the Debt Collection Improvement Act. Testimony was heard from Gary T. Engel,
Associate Director, Governmentwide Accounting and Financial Management Issues,
Accounting and Information Management Division, GAO; Richard L. Gregg,
Commissioner, Financial Management Service, Department of the Treasury; Edward
A. Powell, Jr., Assistant Secretary, Financial Management and Chief
D564Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs; Yvette Jackson, Deputy
Commissioner, Finance, Assessment and Management; and a public witness.
[Page: D564]
FAIRNESS AND VOLUNTARY ARBITRATION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held a hearing on H.R. 534, Fairness and Voluntary Arbitration Act, Testimony
was heard from Senators Sessions and Feingold; Richard Holcomb, Commissioner,
Department of Motor Vehicles, State of Virginia; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims held a
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3295, CT-43A Federal Employee Settlement
Act; and H.R. 1371, to amend the Federal tort claims provisions of title 28,
United States Code, to repeal the exception for claims arising outside the
United States. Testimony was heard from Representatives Farr and Norton; Robin
E. Jacobsohn, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice; and
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans held a hearing on the following measures: H.R. 4286, to provide for the
establishment of the Cahaba River National Refuge in Bibb County, Alabama; and
H. Res. 415, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there
should be established a National Ocean Day to recognize the significant role
the ocean plays in the lives of the Nation's people and the important role the
Nation's people must play in the continued life of the ocean. Testimony was
heard from Representatives Mink of Hawaii, Bachus and Riley; Capt. Ted
Lillestolen, Acting Assistant Administrator, National Ocean Service, NOAA,
Department of Commerce; Paul Schmidt, Deputy Assistant Director, Refuges and
Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; and
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3520, White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic
Rivers System Act; H.R. 3745, Effigy Mounds National Monument Additions Act;
and H.R. 4404, to permit the payment of medical expenses incurred by the
United States Park Police in the performance of duty to be made directly by
the National Park Service, to allow for waiver and indemnification in mutual
law enforcement agreements between the National Park Service and a State or
political subdivision when required by State law. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Pitts, Castle and Nussle; the following officials of the
National Park Service, Department of the Interior: Katherine Stevenson,
Associate Director, Cultural Resources, Stewardship and Partnerships; and John
Schamp, Deputy Chief, U.S. Park Police; and public witnesses.
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Government Programs and Oversight
held a hearing on Women in Business. Testimony was heard from Aida Alvarez,
Administrator, SBA; and public witnesses.
QUALITY OF REGULATORY ANALYSES
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Paperwork
Reduction held a hearing on the Quality of Regulatory Analyses. Testimony was
heard from Robert Murphy, General Counsel, GAO; and public witnesses.
MOTOR CARRIER FUEL COST EQUITY ACT
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Ground
Transportation held a hearing on H.R. 4441, Motor Carrier Fuel Cost Equity Act
of 2000. Testimony was heard from Representative Blunt; and public witnesses.
WOMEN VETERANS ISSUES
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs services for women
veterans. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Veterans Affairs: Linda Schwartz, Chair, Advisory Board on Women Veterans;
and Joan Furey, Director, Center for Women Veterans; and representatives of
veterans organizations.
DEBT REDUCTION AND RECONCILIATION ACT; WTO--WITHDRAWING U.S. APPROVAL
Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4601, Debt
Reduction and Reconciliation Act of 2000.
The Committee also adversely reported H.J. Res. 90, withdrawing the approval
of the United States from the Agreement establishing the World Trade
Organization.
[Page: D565]
2000/06/09
Daily Digest - Friday, June 9, 2000; pages D567 - D572
Committee Meeting
OBSOLETE SHIPS--GOVERNMENT'S FAILURE IN DISPOSING
Committee on the Budget: Housing and Infrastructure Task Force held a hearing
on Government's Failure in Disposing of Obsolete Ships. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Department of Transportation: Thomas J.
Howard, Deputy Assistant Inspector General; and John E, Graykowski, D569Deputy
Administrator, Maritime Transportation; and Vice Adm. James F. Amerault, USN,
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Logistics), Department of the Navy,
Department of Defense.
[Page: D569]
U.S. LEAVING PANAMA--COUNTERDRUG IMPLICATIONS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy,
and Human Resources held a hearing on Counterdrug Implications of the U.S.
Leaving Panama. Testimony was heard Rand Beers, Assistant Secretary,
International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Department of State; Ana
Maria Salazar, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Drug Enforcement Policy and
Support, Department of Defense; William Ledwith, Chief, International
Operations, DEA, Department of Justice; and a public witness.
2000/06/12
Daily Digest - Monday, June 12, 2000; pages D573 - D578
Committee Meetings
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the Energy and Water Development
appropriations for fiscal year 2001.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 4578, making appropriations for the Department of the Interior
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001. The rule
waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule
provides that the bill shall be considered for amendment by paragraph. The
rule waives clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting unauthorized or legislative
provisions in an appropriations bill) against provisions in the bill, except
as otherwise specified in the rule. The rule waives clause 2(e) of rule XXI
(prohibiting non-emergency designated amendments to be offered to an
appropriations bill containing an emergency designation) against amendments
offered during consideration of the bill. The rule authorizes the Chair to
accord priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their
amendments in the Congressional Record. The rule allows for the Chairman of
the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill,
and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote
follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to
recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Regula, Weldon of Florida and Dicks.
CONFERENCE REPORT--MILLENNIUM DIGITAL COMMERCE ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points of order
against the conference report to accompany S. 761, Millennium Digital Commerce
Act, and against its consideration. The rule provides that the conference
report shall be considered as read. Testimony was heard from Chairman Bliley.
2000/06/13
Daily Digest - Tuesday, June 13, 2000; pages D580 - D590
Committee Meetings
"DECIMALS 2000--WILL THE EXCHANGES CONVERT?"
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials held a
hearing entitled "Decimals 2000--Will the Exchanges Convert?" Testimony was
heard from Arthur Levitt, Chairman, SEC; and public witnesses.
COMPUTER INSECURITIES
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a
hearing entitled: "Computer Insecurities at DOE Headquarters: DOE's Failure to
Get Its Own Cyber House in Order." Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Energy: Glenn S. Podonsky, Director, Office of
Independent Oversight and Performance Assurance; and Eugene E. Habinger,
Director, Office of Security and Emergency Operations.
KNOW YOUR CALLER ACT; TELEMARKETING VICTIMS PROTECTION ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3100, Know Your Caller
Act of 1999; and H.R. 3180, Telemarketing Victims Protection Act. Testimony
was heard from Representatives Salmon and Frelinghuysen; Eileen Harrington,
Assistant Director, Marketing Practices, FTC; Jeff Hatch-Miller,
Representative, State of Arizona; and public witnesses.
FEHBP: OPM'S POLICY GUIDANCE
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Civil Service held a hearing
on FEHBP: OPM's Policy Guidance for 2001. Testimony was heard from William
Flynn, III, Director, Retirement and Insurance Programs, OPM; and public
witnesses.
ZIMBABWE: DEMOCRACY ON THE LINE
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa held a hearing on
Zimbabwe: Democracy on the Line. Testimony was heard from Nancy Powell, Acting
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, Department of State; and
public witnesses.
STUDENT ATHLETE PROTECTION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Held a hearing on H.R. 3575, Student Athlete
Protection Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Graham, Gibbons,
Roemer and Berkley; and public witnesses.
[Page: D588]
CAPTIVE ELEPHANT ACCIDENT PREVENTION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held a hearing on H.R. 2929,
Captive Elephant Accident Prevention Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a
hearing on the following measures: H.R. 3693, Castle Rock Ranch Acquisition
Act of 2000; H.R. 4420, to reauthorize the Southwestern Pennsylvania Heritage
Preservation Commission; and H.R. 4579, Utah West Desert Land Exchange Act of
2000. Testimony was heard from Representatives Simpson and Murtha; the
following officials of the Department of the Interior: Molly McUsic, Counselor
to the Secretary; and William D. Shaddox, Chief, Land Resources Division,
National Park Service; Michael Leavitt, Governor, State of Utah; and public
witnesses.
VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule on H.R. 4635, making
appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban
Development, and for sundry independent agencies, boards, commissions,
corporations, and offices for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001,
providing one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled between
the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule
waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule
provides that the bill shall be considered for amendment by paragraph. The
rule waives points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to
comply with clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting unauthorized or legislative
provisions in a general appropriations bill and prohibiting reappropriations
in a general appropriations bill) except as specified in the rule. The rule
waives clause 2(e) of rule XXI (prohibiting non-emergency designated
amendments to be offered to an appropriations bill containing an emergency
designation) against amendments offered during consideration of the bill. The
rule authorizes the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to accord priority
in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the
Congressional Record. The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the
Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill, and to reduce voting
time to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen
minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or
without instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Walsh and
Mollohan.
NATIONAL SCIENCE EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT ACT
Committee on Science: Held a hearing to review Science, Math, Engineering and
Technology Education in Kindergarten Through 12th Grade and H.R. 4272,
National Science Education Enhancement Act. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
UNITED-U.S. AIRWAYS--PROPOSED MERGER
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Held a hearing on the Proposed
United-U.S. Airways Merger. Testimony was heard from Nancy E. McFadden,
General Counsel, Department of Transportation; John M. Nannes, Deputy Attorney
General, Antitrust Division, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.
Hearings continue July 15.
MEDICARE--COVER PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on legislation to cover
prescription drugs under Medicare. Testimony was heard from Senators Kennedy
and Breaux; Representatives Thomas, Cardin, Eshoo, Peterson of Minnesota and
Allen; Nancy-Ann Min DeParle, Administrator, Health Care Financing
Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.
2000/06/14
Daily Digest - Wednesday, June 14, 2000; pages D591 - D602
Committee Meetings
COMMODITY FUTURES MODERNIZATION ACT
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Risk Management, Research, and
Specialty Crops held a hearing on H.R. 4541, Commodity Futures Modernization
Act of 2000. Testimony was heard from C. Robert Paul, General Counsel,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission; Lewis A. Sachs, Assistant Secretary,
Financial Markets, Department of the Treasury; Patrick M. Parkinson, Associate
Director, Division of Research and Statistics, Board of Governors, Federal
Reserve System; and Annette L. Nazareth, Director, Division of Market
Regulation, SEC.
[Page: D599]
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the Commerce, Justice, State,
and Judiciary appropriations for fiscal year 2001.
LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY--SECURITY FAILURES
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on security failures at the Lost
Alamos National Laboratory. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the Department of Energy: T.J. Glauthier, Deputy Secretary; Gen. Eugene
Habiger, USAF (Ret.), Director, Office of Security and Emergency Operations;
Edward J. Curran, Director, Office of Counterintelligence; Brig. Gen. Thomas
F. Gioconda, USAF, Acting Deputy Administrator, Defense Programs, National
Nuclear Security Administration; and John C. Browne, Director, Los Alamos
National Laboratory.
MEDICAL FINANCIAL PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing on H.R. 4585,
Medical Financial Privacy Protection Act. Testimony was heard from Gary
Gensler, Under Secretary, Domestic Finance, Department of the Treasury; and
public witnesses.
SMOTHERING EDUCATION REFORM
Committee on the Budget: Education Task Force held a hearing on Smothering
Education Reform, How Washington Stifles Innovation. Testimony was heard from
Senator Hutchinson, State of Arkansas; Eugene Hickok, Secretary of Education,
State of Pennsylvania; and a public witness.
MEDICARE'S REGULATORY BURDEN ON PROVIDERS
Committee on the Budget: Health Task Force held a hearing on Medicare's
Regulatory Burden on Providers. Testimony was heard from Robert Berenson,
Director, Center for Health Plans and Providers, Health Care Financing
Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; and Robert Charrow,
former Principal Deputy General Counsel, Department of Health and Human
Services.
UNSOLICITED ELECTRONIC MAIL ACT
Committee on Commerce: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 3113, Unsolicited
Electronic Mail Act of 1999.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: MODERNIZING MEDICARE
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
entitled: "Prescription Drugs: Modernizing Medicare for the 21st Century."
Testimony was heard from Nancy-Ann Min DeParle, Administrator, Health Care
Financing Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; and public
witnesses.
ELECTRONIC FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT--AGENCY RESPONSE
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing entitled: "Agency Response to the
Electronic Freedom of Information Act." Testimony was heard from Joshua
Gotbaum, Executive Associate Director and Controller, OMB; Ethan Posner,
Deputy Associate Attorney General, Department of Justice; Henry J. McIntyre,
Director, Directorate for the Freedom of Information Security and Review,
Department of Defense; and public witnesses.
PRIVACY COMMISSION ACT
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology approved for full Committee action, as amended,
H.R. 4049, Privacy Commission Act.
DOES CONGRESS DELEGATE TOO MUCH POWER TO AGENCIES
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Economic Growth,
Natural Resources, and Regulatory Affairs held a hearing on "Does Congress
Delegate Too Much Power to Agencies and What Should be Done About It?"
Testimony was heard from Senator Brownback; Representative Hayworth; John
Spotila, Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB; and
public witnesses.
WESTERN EUROPE--TREATMENT OF RELIGIOUS MINORITIES
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on the Treatment of
Religious Minorities in Western Europe. Testimony was heard from Robert A.
Seiple, Ambassador-at-Large, International Religious Freedom, Department of
State; T. Jeremy Gunn, Guest Scholar, U.S. Institute of Peace; and public
witnesses.
SAFETY OF CITIZENS TRAVELING IN MEXICO; CHALLENGES TO HEMISPHERIC DEMOCRACY
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere
approved for full Committee action, as amended, H. Con. Res. 232, expressing
the sense of Congress concerning the safety and well-being of United States
citizens injured while traveling in Mexico.
The Committee also held a hearing on Challenges to Hemispheric Democracy:
Elections, Coups, and D600Instability. Testimony was heard from Representative
Conyers; and Ambassador Lino Gutierrez, Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Department of State.
[Page: D600]
OVERSIGHT--AIRLINE INDUSTRY--STATE OF COMPETITION
Committee on the Judiciary: Held an oversight hearing on the State of
Competition in the Airline Industry. Testimony was heard from Senator
Fitzgerald; Representatives Jackson of Illinois and Slaughter; John Nannes,
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust Division, Department of Justice;
the following officials of the Department of Transportation: Nancy McFadden,
General Counsel; and Paul Galis, Deputy Associate Administrator, Airports,
FAA; Mike Gordon, Mayor, El Segundo, California; and public witnesses.
ALASKA NATIVE CLAIMS TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS ACT
Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 4345, Alaska Native Claims
Technical Amendments Act of 2000. Testimony was heard from John Berry,
Assistant Secretary, Policy, Management and Budget, Department of the
Interior; and pubic witnesses.
RURAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on Rural Health Care Services: Has
Medicare Reform Killed Small Business Providers? Testimony was heard from
Cathy Buro, Deputy Director, Health Plans and Providers, Health Care Financing
Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.
SSA--PROCESSING OF ATTORNEY FEES
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing on
the processing of attorney fees by the SSA. Testimony was heard from William
C. Taylor, Deputy Associate Commissioner, Hearings and Appeals, SSA; Barbara
D. Bovbjerg, Associate Director, Education, Workforce and Income Security
Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.
2000/06/15
Daily Digest - Thursday, June 15, 2000; pages D603 - D610
Committee Meetings
HOUSING FINANCE REGULATORY IMPROVEMENT ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets,
Securities and Government Sponsored Enterprises continued hearings on
improving regulation of housing Government Sponsored Enterprises, Housing,
focusing on H.R. 3703, Housing Finance Regulatory Improvement Act. Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.
Hearings continue June 21.
INTERNET GAMBLING PROHIBITION ACT
Committee on Commerce: . Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and
Consumer Protection held a hearing on H.R. 3125, Internet Gambling Prohibition
Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from Representative Goodlatte; Kevin V.
DiGregory, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of
Justice; and public witnesses.
FACA: CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND VACCINE DEVELOPMENT
Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled: "FACA: Conflicts of
Interest and Vaccine Development--Preserving the Integrity of the Process."
Testimony was heard from James L. Dean, Director, Office of Governmentwide
Policy, GSA; Marilyn L. Glynn, General Counsel, Office of Government Ethics;
and the following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services:
Linda A. Suydam, Senior Associate Commissioner, FDA; and Dixie Snider,
Executive Secretary, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, Centers for
Disease Control.
F-22 COST CONTROLS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans
Affairs, and International Relations held a hearing on "F-22 Cost Controls:
Will Production Cost Savings Materialize?" Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the National Security and International Affairs
Division, GAO: Allen Li, Associate Director; and Leonard L. Benson, Senior
Evaluator; the following officials of the Department of Defense: Darleen A.
Druyun; Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Acquisition Management, U.S. Air
Force; and George Schneiter, Director, Strategic and Tactical Systems.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; OVERSEAS PRESENCE ADVISORY PANEL RECOMMENDATIONS
Committee on International Relations: Favorably considered the following
resolutions and adopted a motion urging the Chairman to request that they be
considered on the Suspension Calendar: H. Con. Res. 352, expressing the sense
of the Congress regarding manipulation of the mass media and intimidation of
the independent press in the Russian Federation, expressing support for
freedom of speech and the independent media in the Russian Federation, and
calling on the President of the United States to express his strong concern
for freedom of speech and the independent media in the Russian Federation; H.
Res. 500, amended, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
concerning the violence, breakdown of rule of law, and troubled pre-election
period in the Republic of Zimbabwe; H. Con. Res. 275, amended, expressing the
sense of the Congress with regard to Iraq's failure to release prisoners of
war from Kuwait and nine other nations in violation of international
agreements; and H. Res. 259, supporting the goals and ideals of the Olympics.
The Committee also held a hearing on Progress on Implementing Overseas
Presence Advisory Panel Recommendations. Testimony was heard from Bonnie R.
Cohen, Under Secretary, Management, Department of State.
OVERSIGHT--INTERNET-COPYRIGHTED WEBCAST PROGRAMMING
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property
held an oversight hearing on Copyrighted Webcast Programming on the Internet.
Testimony was heard from Marybeth Peters, Register of Copyrights, Library of
Congress; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; OVERSIGHT--DRUGS THREAT POSED
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime approved for full Committee
action the following bills: H.R. 4033, amended, Bulletproof Vest Partnership
Grant Act of 2000; and H.R. 4640, DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of
2000.
The Subcommittee also held an oversight hearing on "The Threat Posed by the
Illegal Importation, Trafficking, and Use of Ecstasy and Other `Club' Drugs."
Testimony was heard from Lewis Rice, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, New York
Division, DEA, Department of Justice; John Varrone, Acting Deputy Assistant
Commissioner, Office of Investigations, U.S. Customs Service, Department of
the Treasury; and public witnesses.
AGRICULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims held a
hearing on H.R. 4548, Agricultural Opportunities Act. Testimony was heard from
Representative Pombo; John R. Fraser, Deputy Administrator, Wage and Hour
Division, Employment Standards Administration, Department of Labor; Cindy
Fagnoni, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues, Health,
Education, and Human Services Division, GAO; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources approved
for full Committee action H.R. 3432, to direct the Minerals Management Service
to grant the State of Louisiana and its lessees D609a credit in the payment of
Federal offshore royalties to satisfy the authorization for compensation
contained in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 for oil and gas drainage in the
West Delta Field.
[Page: D609]
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the following bills: S. 1030, to
provide that the conveyance by the Bureau of Land Management of the surface
estate to certain land in the State of Wyoming in exchange for certain private
land will not result in the removal of the land from operation of the mining
laws; and H.R. 4340, Mineral Revenue Payments Clarification Act of 2000.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Udall of New Mexico and Skeen; Kathy
Karpan, Acting Principal Deputy, Land and Minerals Management, Department of
the Interior; and public witnesses.
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM CENTENNIAL ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans held a hearing on H.R. 4442, National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial
Act. Testimony was heard from Jamie Rappaport Clark, Director, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power approved for full
Committee action the following bills: S. 1275, Hoover Dam Miscellaneous Sales
Act; H.R. 2984, amended, to direct the Secretary of the Interior, through the
Bureau of Reclamation, to convey to the Loup Basin Reclamation District, the
Sargent River Irrigation District, and the Farwell Irrigation District,
Nebraska, property comprising the assets of the Middle Loup Division of the
Missouri River Basin Project, Nebraska; H.R. 3595, amended, to increase the
authorization of appropriations for the Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of
1978; S. 986, Griffin Project Prepayment and Conveyance Act; H.R. 1787,
Deschutes Resources Conservancy Reauthorization Act of 1999; H.R. 4389,
amended, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain water
distribution facilities to the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District;
H.R. 1113, Colusa Basin Watershed Integrated Resources Management Act; and
H.R. 2348, amended, to authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to provide cost
sharing for the endangered fish recovery implementation programs for the Upper
Colorado and San Juan River Basins.
SMALL BUSINESS OMBUDSMAN--REGULATORY FAIRNESS PROGRAM
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Paperwork
Reduction held a hearing on the Small Business Ombudsman and the Regulatory
Fairness Program. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
UNITED-U.S. AIRWAYS--PROPOSED MERGER
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Concluded hearings on the
Proposed United-US Airways Merger. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Myrick and Slaughter; D. Michael Fisher, Attorney General, State of
Pennsylvania; Mike Hatch, Attorney General, State of Minnesota; and public
witnesses.
UNITED STATES-VIETNAM RELATIONS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade held a hearing on United
States-Vietnam Relations, including the renewal of Vietnam's waiver under the
Jackson-Vanik amendment to the Trade Act of 1974. Testimony was heard from
Representative Rohrabacher; Douglas Peterson, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam; and
public witnesses.
2000/06/16
Daily Digest - Friday, June 16, 2000; pages D611 - D616
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
2000/06/19
Daily Digest - Monday, June 19, 2000; pages D617 - D622
Committee Meetings
NONCOMMERCIAL BROADCASTING FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ACT
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, a modified closed
rule, providing 1 hour of debate on H.R. 4201, Noncommercial Broadcasting
Freedom of Expression Act of 2000. The rule provides that the amendment
recommended by the Committee on Commerce now printed in the bill shall be
considered as adopted. The rule provides for consideration of the amendment in
the nature of a substitute, printed in the Congressional Record, if offered by
Representative Markey or his designee, which shall be considered as read and
debatable for 1 hour equally divided between the proponent and an opponent.
Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without
instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Tauzin and Markey.
[Page: D620]
WTO--WITHDRAWING U.S. APPROVAL
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, a closed rule
providing 2 hours of debate on H.J. Res. 90, withdrawing the approval of the
United States from the Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization,
equally divided among and controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the
Committee on Ways and Means, Representative Paul of Texas, and Representative
DeFazio of Oregon. Testimony was heard from Representative Crane.
2000/06/20
Daily Digest - Tuesday, June 20, 2000; pages D624 - D632
Committee Meetings
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the Energy and Water Development
appropriations for fiscal year 2001.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing and Related Programs approved for full Committee action the Foreign
Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs appropriations for fiscal
year 2001.
[Page: D629]
INTERNET GAMBLING FUNDING PROHIBITION ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing on Internet
Gambling and H.R. 4419, Internet Gambling Funding Prohibition Act. Testimony
was heard from Gregory A. Baer, Assistant Secretary, Financial Institutions,
Department of the Treasury; Kevin V. Di Gregory, Deputy Assistant Attorney
General, Crime Division, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
approved for full Committee action, as amended, the following bills: H.R.
3312, Merit Systems Protection Board Administrative Dispute Resolution Act of
1999; and H.R. 1924, Federal Agency Compliance Act.
INNOCENCE PROTECTION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held a hearing on H.R. 4167,
Innocence Protection Act of 2000. Testimony was heard from Representatives
LaHood and Delahunt; George H. Ryan, Governor, State of Illinois; Ward
Campbell, Deputy Attorney General, State of California; Eliot Spitzer,
Attorney General, State of New York; Stuart VanMevern, District Attorney, 8th
Judicial District, State of Colorado; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported, as amended, the following measures:
H. Res. 415, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there
should be established a National Ocean Day to recognize the significant role
the ocean plays in the lives of the Nation's people and the important role the
Nation's people must play in the continued life of the ocean; H.R. 2348, to
authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to provide cost sharing for the endangered
fish recovery implementation programs for the Upper Colorado and San Juan
River Basins; H.R. 2919, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Act;
H.R. 3661, General Aviation Access Act; H.R. 3676, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto
Mountains National Monument Act of 2000; H.R. 3919, Coral Reef Conservation
and Restoration Partnership Act of 2000; and H.R. 4063, Rosie the
Riveter-World War II Home Front National Historical Park Establishment of
2000.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 4286,
amended, to provide for the establishment of the Cahaba River National
Wildlife Refuge in Bibb County, Alabama; and H.R. 4442, National Wildlife
Refuge System Centennial Act.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3407,
Keystone Species Conservation Act and H.R. 4320, Great Ape Conservation Act of
2000. Testimony was heard from Jamie Rappaport Clark, Director, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing one hour of
general debate on H.R. 4690, making appropriations for the Departments of
Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and related agencies for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, to be equally divided between the
chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The
rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule
provides that the bill shall be considered for amendment by paragraph. The
rule waives clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting unauthorized or legislative
provisions or transfers of funds in an appropriations bill) against provisions
in the bill, except as specified by the rule. The rule authorizes the Chairman
of the Committee of the Whole to accord priority in recognition to Members who
have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. The rule
permits the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during
consideration of the bill, and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a
postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the
rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Rogers, Smith of New Jersey,
Hutchinson, Ryan of Wisconsin, Serrano, Farr and Capuano.
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule on H.R. 4516,
making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2001, providing one hour of general debate to be equally divided
between the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations. The rule waives points of order against consideration of the
bill for failure to comply with section 401(a) of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974 (prohibiting consideration of budget related legislation, as reported,
providing new contract, borrowing, or credit authority that is not limited to
amounts provided in appropriations acts). The rule waives points of order
against provisions of the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI
(prohibiting unauthorized or legislative provisions in a D630general
appropriations bill and prohibiting reappropriations in a general
appropriations bill). The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in
the Rules Committee report, which may be offered only in the order printed in
the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be
considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report
equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be
subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of
the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives
all points of order against the amendments printed in the Rules Committee
report. The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone
votes during consideration of the bill, and to reduce voting time to five
minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote.
Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without
instructions. Testimony was heard from Representative Taylor of North
Carolina, Ryan of Wisconsin and Pastor.
[Page: D630]
NASA'S MARS PROGRAM
Committee on Science: Concluded hearings on NASA's Mars Program after the
Young Report, Part II. Testimony was heard from Daniel Goldin, Administrator,
NASA; Edward Stone, Director, Jet Propulsion Laboratory; and public witnesses.
AVIATION MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ACT--FAA IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on FAA Implementation of the Aviation Medical Assistance Act of 1998
(should Defibrillators be required on aircraft and at airports). Testimony was
heard from Jon L. Jordan, M.D., Federal Air Surgeon, FAA, Department of
Transportation; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic
Development, Public Buildings, Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation
approved for full Committee action the following: H.R. 1959, amended, to
designate the Federal building located at 743 East Durango Boulevard in San
Antonio, Texas, as the "Adrian A. Spears Judicial Training Center"; H.R. 3323,
to designate the Federal building located at 158-15 Liberty Avenue in Jamaica,
Queens, New York, as the "Floyd H. Flake Federal Building"; H.R. 4519,
Baylee's Law; H.R. 4608, to designate the United States courthouse located at
220 West Depot Street in Greeneville, Tennessee, as the "James H. Quillen
United States Courthouse"; GSA's repair and alteration; GSA's design program;
GSA's non-courthouse construction program; and three out-of-cycle leases.
TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS--DISCLOSURE OF POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on
Disclosure of Political Activities of Tax-Exempt Organizations. Testimony was
heard from Senators McCain and Lieberman; Representatives Doggett and Castle;
Joseph Mikrut, Tax Legislative Counsel, Department of the Treasury; and public
witnesses.
2000/06/21
Daily Digest - Wednesday, June 21, 2000; pages D633 - D642
Committee Meetings
USDA'S EXPORT AND MARKET PROMOTION PROGRAMS
Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing to review the USDA's export and
market promotion programs. Testimony was heard from Dan Glickman, Secretary of
Agriculture.
CHINA--STRATEGIC INTENTIONS AND GOALS
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the strategic intentions and
goals of China. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
HOUSING FINANCE REGULATORY IMPROVEMENT ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets,
Securities and Government Sponsored Enterprises concluded hearings on
improving regulation of housing Government Sponsored Enterprises, focusing on
H.R. 3703, Housing Finance Regulatory Improvement Act. Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.
WEALTH THROUGH THE WORKPLACE ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R.
3462, Wealth Through the Workplace Act of 1999.
FORCE PROTECTION
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans
Affairs, and International Relations held a hearing on Force Protection:
Current Individual Protective Equipment. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Donald Mancuso, Deputy
Inspector General; Robert J. Lieberman, Assistant Inspector General; Carol L.
Levy, Deputy Director, Defense Criminal Investigative Service; Brig. Gen.
Daniel G. Mongeon, USA, Commander, and George Allen, Deputy Commander, Defense
Supply Center Philadelphia; Robert Kinney, Director, Individual Protection
Directorate, Natick Soldier Center, U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical
Command; Anna Johnson-Winnegar, Deputy Assistant to the Secretary,
Chemical-Biological Defense; Maj. Gen. John Sylvester, USA, Deputy Chief of
Staff, Training, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command; Maj. Gen. Earnest
Robbins, USAF, The Civil Engineer, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force; Rear Adm.
David M. Stone, USN, Deputy Director, Nuclear Surface Warfare Division, U.S.
Navy; and Maj. Gen. Paul M. Lee, Jr., USMC, Commander, Marine Corps Material
Command.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Economic
Policy and Trade held a hearing on International Trade and the Environment.
Testimony was heard from Mildred O. Callear, Vice President and Treasurer,
Department of Financial Management and Statutory Review, Overseas Private
Investment Corporation; Barbara Bradford, Deputy Director, U.S. Trade and
Development Agency; Daniel Renberg, member of the Board, Export-Import Bank of
the United States; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 3485, Justice
for Victims of Terrorism Act.
The Committee began mark up of H.R. 1248, Violence Against Women Act.
Will continue June 27.
[Page: D640]
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following bills: S. 986, Griffith
Project Prepayment and Conveyance Act; H.R. 1113, amended, Colusa Basin
Watershed Integrate Resources Management Act; H.R. 1142, Landowners Equal
Treatment Act of 1999; S. 1275, Hoover Dam Miscellaneous Sales Act; H.R. 1787,
Deschutes Resources Conservancy Reauthorization Act of 1999; H.R. 2984,
amended, to direct the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of
Reclamation, to convey to the Loup Basin Reclamation District, the Sargent
River Irrigation District, and the Farwell Irrigation District, Nebraska,
property comprising the assets of the Middle Loup Division of the Missouri
River Basin Project, Nebraska; H.R. 3160, Common Sense Protections for
Endangered Species Act; H.R. 3595, amended, to increase the authorization of
appropriations for the Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978; and H.R. 4389,
amended, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain water
distribution facilities to the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District.
IMPROVING SBA'S OFFICE OF ADVOCACY
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on Improving SBA's Office of
Advocacy. Testimony was heard from Jere W. Glover, Chief Counsel for Advocacy,
SBA; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported the
following: H.R. 4210, amended, Preparedness Against Terrorism Act of 2000;
H.R. 1959, amended, to designate the Federal building located at 743 East
Durango Boulevard in San Antonio, Texas, as the "Adrian A. Spears Judicial
Training Center"; H.R. 3323, to designate the Federal building located at
158-15 Liberty Avenue in Jamaica, Queens, New York, as the "Floyd H. Flake
Federal Building"; H.R. 4519, Baylee's Law; H.R. 4608, to designate the United
States courthouse located at 220 West Depot Street in Greeneville, Tennessee,
as the "James H. Quillen United States Courthouse"; GSA's repair and
alteration; GSA's design program; GSA's non-courthouse construction program;
Three out-of-cycle leases; and Corps of Engineers Survey Resolutions.
MEDICARE RX 2000
Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4680, Medicare
RX 2000 Act.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
consider pending business.
2000/06/22
Daily Digest - Thursday, June 22, 2000; pages D643 - D650
Committee Meetings
COMMODITY FUTURES MODERNIZATION ACT
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Risk Management, Research, and
Specialty Crops, approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 4521,
Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000.
NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE PROGRAM STATUS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Research and Development
held a hearing on the technical status of the National Missile Defense
program. Testimony was heard from Lt. Gen. Ronald T. Kadish, USAF, Director,
Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, Department of Defense.
LATIN AMERICA--MONETARY STABILITY
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and
International Monetary Policy held a hearing on Monetary Stability in Latin
America: Is Dollarization the Answer? Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
TRICARE CLAIMS PROCESSING
Committee on the Budget: Defense and International Relations Task Force held a
hearing on TRICARE Claims Processing: Why Does It Cost So Much? Testimony was
heard from H. James T. Sears, M.D., Executive Director, TRICARE Management
Activity, Department of Defense; Stephen P. Backhus, Director, Veterans'
Affairs and Military Health Care Issues, GAO; and a public witness.
DOE'S FIXED-PRICE CLEANUP CONTRACTS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a
hearing entitled: "DOE's Fixed-Price Cleanup Contracts: Why are Costs Still
Out of Control?" Testimony was heard from T. J. Glauthier, Deputy Secretary,
Department of Energy; Gary L. Jones, Associate Director, Energy, Resources,
and Sciences Issues, GAO; and a public witness.
RECIPROCAL COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2000
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on H.R. 4445, Reciprocal Compensation Adjustment Act
of 2000. Testimony was heard from Lawrence Strickling, Chief, Common Carrier
Bureau, FCC; Joan Smith, Commissioner, Public Utility Commission, State of
Oregon; Jay A. Blossman, Jr., Commissioner, Public Service Commission, State
of Louisiana; and public witnesses.
OSHA'S COMPLIANCE DIRECTIVE ON BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce
Protections held a hearing on OSHA's Compliance Directive on Bloodborne
Pathogens and the Prevention of Needlestick Injuries. Testimony was heard from
Charles N. Jeffress, Assistant Secretary, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, Department of Labor; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--2000 CENSUS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on the Census held an oversight
hearing of the "2000 Census: Status of Non-Response Follow-Up and Close Out."
Testimony was heard from Kenneth Prewitt, Director, Bureau of the Census,
Department of Commerce.
DEBT PAY INCENTIVE ACT; CYBER SECURITY INFORMATION ACT
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology approved for full Committee action, as amended,
H.R. 4181, Debt Pay Incentive Act of 2000.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing entitled: "H.R. 4246, Cyber Security
Information Act of 2000: An Examination of Issues Involving Public-Private
Partnerships for Critical Infrastructures." Testimony was heard from Joel C.
Willemssen, Director, Accounting and Information Management Division, GAO;
John Tritak, Director, Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office, Department of
Commerce; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--STATE DEPARTMENT
Committee on International Relations: Concluded oversight hearings on the
State Department, Part IV: Technology Modernization and Computer Security.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State:
Fernando Burbano, Chief Information Officer; and Wayne Rychak, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Diplomatic Security; John Brock, Director, Government and
Defense Systems, GSA; and a public witness.
OVERSIGHT--FOREST SERVICE RULEMAKINGS AND REGIONAL PLANS
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on an update on Forest Service Rulemakings and Regional
Plans. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Forest Service,
USDA: Randle G. Philips, Deputy Chief, Programs and Legislation; and Chris
Risbrudt, Director, Eco-System Management Coordination; and public witnesses.
[Page: D649]
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands
approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 3033, amended, to
direct the Secretary of the Interior to make certain adjustments to the
boundaries of Biscayne National Park in the State of Florida; H.R. 3520,
amended, White Clay Creek and Scenic Rivers System Act; H.R. 4125, amended, to
provide a grant under the urban park and recreation recovery program to assist
in the development of a Millennium Cultural Cooperative Park in Youngstown,
Ohio; H.R. 4275, amended, Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area and the
Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness Act of 2000; H.R. 4404, amended, to permit the
payment of medical expenses incurred by the United States Park Police in the
performance of duty to be made directly by the National Park Service, to allow
for waiver and indemnification in mutual law enforcement agreements between
the National Park Service and a State or political subdivision when required
by State law; H.R. 4579, Utah West Desert Land Exchange Act of 2000; and H.R.
3693, Castle Rock Ranch Acquisition Act of 2000.
E-COMMERCE
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing on E-Commerce:
A Review of Standards and Technology to Support Interoperability. Testimony
was heard from Karen Brown, Deputy Director, National Institute of Standards
and Technology, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--DOT'S PROPOSED REGULATIONS FOR MOTOR CARRIERS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Ground
Transportation held an oversight hearing on the Department of Transportation's
Proposed Hours of Service regulations for Motor Carriers. Testimony was heard
from Clyde J. Hart, Jr., Acting Deputy Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration, Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.
FULL AND FAIR POLITICAL ACTIVITY DISCLOSURE ACT OF 2000
Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4717, Full and
Fair Political Activity Disclosure Act of 2000.
2000/06/23
Daily Digest - Friday, June 23, 2000; pages D651 - D658
Committee Meetings
DOE PROGRAM--DEVELOP PERMANENT GEOLOGIC REPOSITORY
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a hearing to
examine the status of the Department of Energy program to develop a permanent
geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada for spent nuclear fuel and
high-level radioactive waste. Testimony was heard from Representatives Gibbons
and Berkley; Ivan Itkin, Director, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste
Management, Department of Energy; Carl Paperiello, Deputy Executive Director,
Materials Research and State Programs, NRC; Steve Page, Director, Office of
Radiation, EPA; Debra S. Knopman, member, U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review
Board; and a public witness.
COMBATING MONEY LAUNDERING
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy
and Human Resources held a hearing on Combating Money Laundering Worldwide.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the
Treasury: William F. Wechsler, Special Advisor to the Secretary and Deputy
Secretary for Money Laundering; James F. Sloan, Director, Financial Crimes
Enforcement Network; and James C. Varrone, Acting Deputy Assistant
Commissioner, Office of Investigations, U.S. Customs Service; the following
officials of the Department of Justice: Mary Lee Warren, Deputy Assistant
Attorney General, Criminal Division; and Edward M. Guillen, Chief, Financial
Operations Section, DEA; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--AIRLINE INDUSTRY--STATE OF COMPETITION
Committee on the Judiciary: Concluded oversight hearings on the State of
Competition in the Airline Industry: Part 2. Testimony was heard from Tom
Walker, Commissioner, Department of Aviation, Chicago, Illinois; and public
witnesses.
2000/06/26
Daily Digest - Monday, June 26, 2000; pages D660 - D666
Committee Meetings
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing one hour of
general debate on H.R. 4733, making appropriations for energy and water
development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, to be equally
divided between the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations. The rule waives clause 4 of rule XIII (requiring a three day
layover of the committee report and requiring a three day availability of
printed hearings on a general appropriations bill) against consideration of
the bill. The rule waives clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting unauthorized or
legislative provisions in an appropriations bill) and clause 5(a) of rule XXI
(prohibiting a tax or tariff provision in a bill not reported by a committee
with jurisdiction over revenue measures) against provisions in the bill). The
rule provides that the amendment printed in the Rules Committee report may be
offered only by a Member designated in the report and only at the appropriate
point in the reading of the bill, shall be considered as read, shall be
debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled
by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall
not be subject to a demand for a division of the question in the House or in
the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of order against the
amendment printed in the report. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord
priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in
the Congressional Record. The rule D664allows the Chairman of the Committee of
the Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill, and to reduce
voting time to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a
fifteen minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or
without instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Packard,
Boehlert, Sherwood, Saxton, and Visclosky.
[Page: D664]
MEDICARE RX 2000 ACT
Committee on Rules: No action was taken on H.R. 4680, Medicare RX 2000 Act.
Testimony was heard from Chairman Archer and Representatives Thomas, Burr,
Ganske, Wilson, Emerson, Gutknecht, Chenoweth-Hage, Stark, Cardin, Tanner,
Pallone, Brown of Ohio, Capuano, Allen, Baldwin, Berry, and Weygand.
2000/06/27
Daily Digest - Tuesday, June 27, 2000; pages D668 - D678
Committee Meetings
COMMODITY FUTURES--MODERNIZATION ACT
Committee on Agriculture: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4541, Commodity
Futures Modernization Act of 2000.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the Foreign Operations, Export
Financing and Related Programs appropriations for fiscal year 2001.
NAVY SUBMARINE FORCE STRUCTURE AND MODERNIZATION PLANS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Procurement held a
hearing on Navy submarine force structure and modernization plans. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Navy,
Department of Defense: Vice Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiana, Jr., USN, Commander,
Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Rear Adm. Albert H. Konetzni, Jr., USN,
Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Rear Adm. Malcolm I. Fages,
USN, Director, Submarine Warfare Division (N87); and Rear Adm. John P. Davis,
USN, Program Executive Officer for Submarines, Assistant Secretary (Research,
Development and Acquisition), Deputy Commander for Submarines; and Ronald
O'Rourke, Specialist in National Defense, Congressional Research Service,
Library of Congress.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS REENGINEERING INITIATIVES
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Readiness held a hearing
on Defense Logistics Reengineering Initiatives. Testimony was heard from David
Warren, Director, Defense Management Issues, National Security and
International Affairs Division, GAO; the following officials of the Department
of Defense: Jacques S. Gansler, Under Secretary (Acquisition Technology and
Logistics); Paul J. Hoeper, Assistant Secretary, Army (Acquisition, Logistics
and Technology), Department of the Army; Ariane L. Whittemore, Assistant
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Logistics), Department of the Navy; and
Ronald L. Orr, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff (Installations and Logistics),
Department of the Air Force.
FIRST ACCOUNTS ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing on H.R. 4490,
First Accounts Act of 2000. Testimony was heard from Gary Gensler, Under
Secretary, Domestic Finance, Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses.
MEDICARE'S MANAGEMENT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
on Medicare's Management: Is HCFA's Complexity Threatening Patient Access to
Quality Care? Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Health and Human Services: Mike Hash, Deputy Administrator,
Health Care Financing Administration; and Michael F. Mangano, Principal Deputy
Inspector General; and public witnesses.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS MERGER REVIEW ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 4019,
Telecommunications Merger Review Act of 2000.
EXAMINING--NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth, and Families held a hearing on Examining the National Environmental
Education Act. Testimony was heard from John Kasper, Acting Deputy Associate
Administrator, Office of Communications, Education, and Media Relations, EPA;
and public witnesses.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION UNDER GPRA
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on Employment Standards Administration Under
GPRA. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Labor: Bernard E. Anderson, Assistant Secretary; T. Michael Kerr,
Administrator, Wage and Hour Division; Shirley Wilcher, Assistant Secretary,
Office of Federal Contract Compliance; John Koch, Director, Office of Labor
Management Standards; and Shelby Hallmark, Acting Director, Office of Federal
Workers Compensation.
NAZI WAR CRIMES DISCLOSURE ACT IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information and Technology held a hearing on Implementation of the Nazi War
Crimes Disclosure Act. Testimony was D675heard from Representative Lantos;
Michael J. Kurtz, Assistant Archivist of the United States, National Archives
and Records Administration; Kenneth Levitt, Special Counsel, Office of the
Executive Director, CIA; John Collingwood, Assistant Director, Office of
Congressional and Public Affairs, FBI, Department of Justice; and the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Harold Kwalwasser, Deputy
General Counsel; and Col. Lewis Thompson, USA, Commander, 902nd Military
Intelligence Group, Intelligence and Security Command, U.S. Army; and public
witnesses.
[Page: D675]
BRIEFING--VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS OF OVERSEAS MILITARY INSTALLATIONS
Committee Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans
Affairs and International Relations held a briefing on Vulnerability
Assessments of Overseas Military Installations. The Subcommittee was briefed
by Brig. Gen. John Sattler, USMC, Deputy Director, Operations (Combating
Terrorism), J-34, Department of Defense.
OPEC'S POLICIES
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on OPEC's Policies: A
Threat to the U.S. Economy. Testimony was heard from Bill Richardson,
Secretary of Energy; and former Senator Howard M. Metzenbaum of Ohio.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
approved for full Committee action the following measures: H. Con. Res. 322,
amended, expressing the sense of Congress regarding Vietnamese Americans and
others who seek to improve social and political conditions in Vietnam; and S.
Con. Res. 81, expressing the sense of the Congress that the Government of the
People's Republic of China should immediately release Rabiya Kadeer, her
secretary, and her son, and permit them to move to the United States if they
so desire.
MILITARY EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION ACT; VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills:
H.R. 3380, Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act of 1999; and H.R. 1248,
Violence Against Women Act.
The Committee also began markup of H.R. 1349, Federal Prisoner Health Care
Copayment Act of 1999.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, and Public Lands
approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 3632, amended,
Golden Gate National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Act of 2000; H.R.
3745, amended, Effigy Mounds National Monument Additions Act; and H.R. 4583,
to extend the authorization for the Air Force Memorial Foundation to establish
a memorial in the District of Columbia or its environs.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3190, Oil
Region National Heritage Area Act; H.R. 4187, to assist in the establishment
of an interpretive center and museum in the vicinity of the Diamond Valley
Lake in southern California to ensure the protection and interpretation of the
paleontology discoveries made at the lake and to develop a trail system for
the lake for use by pedestrians and nonmotorized vehicles; and H.R. 4521, to
direct the Secretary of the Interior to authorize and provide funding for
rehabilitation of the Going-to-the Sun Road in Glacier National Park, to
authorize funds for maintenance of utilities related to the Park. Testimony
was heard from Representatives Hill of Montana, Peterson of Pennsylvania and
Calvert; the following officials of the Department of the Interior: Denis
Galvin, Deputy Director, National Park Service; and Donald Barry, Assistant
Secretary, Fish and Wildlife and Parks; and public witnesses.
MEDICARE RX 2000 ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by record vote of 7 to 1, a closed rule on H.R.
4680, Medicare RX 2000 Act, providing two hours of debate equally divided
between the chairmen and ranking minority members of the Committees on Ways
and Means and Commerce. The rule waives all points of order against
consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the amendment recommended by
the Committee on Ways and Means now printed in the bill, modified by the
amendment printed in the Rules Committee report, shall be considered as
adopted. The rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without
instructions. The rule provides that the Chair may postpone further
consideration of the bill until a time designated by the Speaker. The rule
provides that, at any time on or before the legislative day of Friday, June
30, 2000, it shall be in order for the Speaker to entertain motions to suspend
the rules with respect to H.R. 3240 and H. Res. 535.
AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS FY 2001
Committee on Rules: Granted, by record vote of 7 to 1, an open rule on H.R.
4461, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related
Agencies Appropriations, FY 2001, providing one hour of general debate equally
divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the
Committee on Appropriations. D676The rule waives all points of order against
consideration of the bill. The rule waives points of order against provisions
in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting
unauthorized or legislative provisions in a general appropriations bill),
except as specified in the rule. The rule provides that the bill shall be
considered for amendment by paragraph. The rule allows the Chairman of the
Committee of the Whole to accord priority in recognition to Members who have
pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. The rule allows the
Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone a request for a recorded
vote on any amendment and reduce voting time to five minutes on a postponed
question, provided that the minimum time for electronic voting on the first in
any series of questions shall be fifteen minutes. The rule provides one motion
to recommit with or without instructions. Finally, the rule provides that H.
Res. 513 is laid on the table.
[Page: D676]
CHILD SUPPOR
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources approved for full
Committee action, as amended, H.R. 4678, Child Support Distribution Act of
2000.
SOCIAL SECURITY GOVERNMENT PENSION OFFSET
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing on
the Social Security Government Pension Offset. Testimony was heard from
Representative Jefferson; Jane L. Ross, Deputy Commissioner, Policy, SSA; Paul
R. Cullinan, Budget Analysis Division, Unit Chief for the Human Resources Cost
Estimate Unit, CBO; and public witnesses.
2000/06/28
Daily Digest - Wednesday, June 28, 2000; pages D679 - D688
Committee Meetings
WATER POLLUTION PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT ACT; EPA'S PROCESSED TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY
LOAN RULES
Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing on the following: H.R. 4502 Water
Pollution Program Improvement Act of 2000; and EPA's proposed Total Maximum
Daily Load rules on agriculture and silviculture. Testimony was heard from
James R. Lyons, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment, USDA; J.
Charles Fox, Assistant Administrator, Water, EPA; Peter F. Guerrero, Director,
Environmental Protection Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.
NATIONAL SECURITY LABORATORIES MEASURES
Committee on Armed Services: Ordered reported the following measures: H. Res.
534, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the recent
nuclear weapons security failures at Los Alamos National Laboratory
demonstrate that security policy and security procedures within the National
Nuclear Security Administration remain inadequate, that the individuals
responsible for such policy and procedures must be held accountable for their
performance, and that immediate action must be taken to correct security
deficiencies; H.R. 3906, amended, to ensure that the Department of Energy has
appropriate mechanisms to independently assess the effectiveness of its policy
and site performance in the areas of safeguards and security and cyber
security; H.R. 4446, amended, to ensure that the Secretary of Energy may
continue to exercise certain authorities under the Price-Anderson Act through
the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environment, Safety, and Health; H.R.
3383, to amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to remove separate treatment or
exemption for nuclear safety violations by nonprofit institutions; and H.R.
4737, amended, Nuclear Secrets Safety Act.
NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE PROGRAM
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the National Missile Defense
Program. Testimony was heard from Jacques S. Gansler, Under Secretary
(Acquisition and Technology), Department of Defense; and public witnesses.
INTERNET GAMBLING FUNDING PROHIBITION ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Ordered reported, as amended,
H.R. 4419, Internet Gambling Funding Prohibition Act.
AMERICAN CONSUMER--SUMMER ENERGY CONCERNS
Committee on Commerce: Held a hearing on Summer Energy Concerns for the
American Consumer. Testimony was heard from Bill Richardson, Secretary of
Energy; Rodney E. Slater, Secretary of Transportation; Carol M. Browner,
Administrator, EPA; Robert Pitofsky, Chairman, FTC; and public witnesses.
RISING FUEL PRICES--APPROPRIATE FEDERAL RESPONSE
Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing on Rising Fuel Prices and the
Appropriate Federal Response. Testimony was heard from Bill Richardson,
Secretary of Energy; Carol M. Browner, Administrator, EPA; Robert Pitofsky.
Chairman, FTC; and public witnesses.
SEMIPOSTAL AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on the Postal Service approved
for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 4437, Semipostal Authorization
Act.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Committee on House Administration: Met to consider pending business.
U.S. ASSISTANCE TO MICRONESIA AND THE MARSHALL ISLANDS
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
held a hearing on U.S. Assistance to Micronesia and the Marshall Islands: A
Question of Accountability. Testimony was heard from Susan S, Westin,
Associate Director, International Relations and Trade Division, GAO; Ferdinand
Aranza, Director, Office of Insular Affairs, Department of the Interior; Allen
Stayman, Special Negotiator, Compact of Free Association, Bureau of East Asian
and Pacific Affairs, Department of State; and Fred Smith, Special Assistant to
the Under Secretary, Asia-Pacific Affairs, Department of Defense.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Operations
and Human Rights approved for full Committee action the following measures:
H.R. 4528, amended, International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000, H. Con.
Res. 328, amended, expressing the sense of the Congress in recognition of the
10th anniversary of the free and fair elections in Burma and the urgent need
to improve the democratic and human rights of the people of Burma; H. Con,
Res. 257, amended, Concerning the emancipation of the Iranian Baha'i
community; S. Con. Res. 81, expressing the sense of the Congress that the
Government of the People's Republic of China should immediately release Rabiya
Kadeer, her secretary, and her son, and permit them to move to the United
States if they so desire; and H.Con. Res. 348, amended, expressing
condemnation of the use of children as soldiers and expressing the belief that
the United States should support and, where possible, lead efforts to end this
abuse of human rights.
[Page: D685]
LATIN AMERICA--DEVELOPMENT, GROWTH AND POVERTY REDUCTION
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
held a hearing on Development, Growth and Poverty Reduction in Latin America:
Assessing the Effectiveness of Assistance. Testimony was heard from William E.
Schuerch, Deputy Assistant Secretary, International Development, Debt and
Environmental Policy, Department of the Treasury; Carl Leonard, Assistant
Administrator, Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, AID, Department of
State; and public witnesses.
OIL INDUSTRY SOLUTIONS TO COMPETITIVE PROBLEMS
Committee on the Judiciary: Continued oversight hearings on Solutions to
Competitive Problems in the Oil Industry: Part 3. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Collins, Stabenow, Hall of Ohio, Hoekstra and Barrett of
Wisconsin; Rich Parker, Director, Bureau of Competition, FTC; Bob Perciasepe,
Assistant Administrator, Air and Pollution, EPA; Melanie Kenderdine, Acting
Director, Office of Policy, Department of Energy; Tommy Thompson, Governor,
State of Wisconsin; George Ryan, Governor, State of Illinois; and public
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 755,
amended, Guam War Restitution Act; S. 1030, to provide that the conveyance by
the Bureau of Land Management of the surface estate to certain land in the
State of Wyoming in exchange for certain private land will not result in the
removal of the land from operation of the mining laws; S. 1508, Indian Tribal
Justice Technical and Legal Assistance Act of 1999; S. 1705, Castle Rock Ranch
Acquisition Act of 2000; H.R. 2296, to amend the Revised Organic Act of the
Virgin Islands to provide that the number of members on the legislature of the
Virgin Islands and the number of such members constituting a quorum shall be
determined by the laws of the Virgin Islands; H.R. 2462, amended, Guam Omnibus
Opportunities Act; H.R. 2671, Yankton Sioux Tribe and Santee Sioux Tribe of
Nebraska Development Trust Fund Act; H.R. 4148, amended, Tribal Contract
Support Cost Technical Amendments of 2000; H.R. 4286, amended, to provide for
the establishment of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge in Bibb County,
Alabama; H.R. 4404, amended, to permit the payment of medical expenses
incurred by the United States Park Police in the performance of duty to be
made directly by the National Park Service, to allow for waiver and
indemnification in mutual law enforcement agreements between the National Park
Service and a State or political subdivision when required by State law; and
H.R. 4442, National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial Act.
QUALITY HEALTH-CARE COALITION ACT OF 2000
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing one
hour of general debate on H.R. 1304, Quality Health-Care Coalition Act of
2000, equally divided between the chairman and ranking minority member of the
Committee on the Judiciary. The rule waives all points of order against
consideration of the bill. The rule makes in order the Committee on the
Judiciary amendment in the nature of a substitute now printed in the bill as
an original bill for the purpose of amendment, which shall be considered as
read. The rule waives all points of order against the amendment in the nature
of a substitute. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the
Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution. The rule provides that the
amendments made in order may be offered only in the order printed in the
report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be
considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report
equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be
subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of
the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives
all points of order against the amendments printed in the report. The rule
permits the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during
consideration of the bill, and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a
postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the
rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
INDEPENDENCE DAY DISTRICT WORK PERIOD ADJOURNMENT RESOLUTION
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule providing for the
consideration of a concurrent resolution providing for the adjournment of the
House and Senate for the Independence Day district work period. The rule
waives all points of order against consideration of the resolution. The rule
lays House Resolution 469 and 482 on the table.
SAME DAY CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS REPORTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving clause 6(a) of rule
XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is
reported from the Rules Committee) against certain resolutions reported from
the Rules Committee. The rule applies the waiver to a special rule reported on
or before the legislative day of Friday, June 30, 2000, providing for the
consideration or disposition of a conference report to accompany the bill
(H.R. 4425) making appropriations for military construction, family housing,
and base realignment and closure for the Department of Defense for the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2001, and for other purposes, D686or any amendment
reported in disagreement from a conference thereon.
[Page: D686]
VIETNAM--DISAPPROVING EXTENSION OF WAIVER AUTHORITY CONTAINED IN TRADE ACT
Committee on Ways and Means: Adversely reported H.J. Res. 99, disapproving the
extension of the waiver authority contained in section 402(c) of the Trade Act
of 1974 with respect to Vietnam.
2000/06/29
Daily Digest - Thursday, June 29, 2000; pages D690 - D700
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURAL INPUT PRICES
Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing to review factors affecting domestic
and international agricultural input prices. Testimony was heard from Robert
E. Robertson, Associate Director, Food and Agriculture Issues, GAO; and public
witnesses.
LATIN AMERICA--TERRORISM AND THREATS TO U.S. INTERESTS
Committee on Armed Services: Special Oversight Panel on Terrorism held a
hearing on terrorism and threats to U.S. interests in Latin America. Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.
MEDICAL FINANCIAL PRIVACY
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Ordered reported, as amended,
H.R. 4585, Medical Financial Privacy Protection Act.
WELFARE REFORM
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Postsecondary
Education, Training, and Life Long Learning: and the Subcommittee on Human
Resources of the Committee on Ways and Means held a joint hearing on Welfare
Reform: Assessing the Progress of Work-Related Provisions. Testimony was heard
from Cynthia A. Fagnoni, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security
Issues; Ray Bramucci, Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training, Department
of Labor; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; REPORT
Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R.
4049, amended, Privacy Commission Act; H.R. 4744, Truth in Regulating Act of
2000"; H.R. 3454, to designate the United States Post Office located at 451
College Street in Macon, Georgia, as the "Henry McNeal Turner Post Office";
H.R. 3909, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 4601 South Cottage Grove Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, as the "Henry
W. McGee Post Office Building"; H.R. 3985, amended, to designate the facility
of the United States Postal Service located at 14900 Southwest 30th Street in
Miramar City, Florida, as the "Vicki Coceano Post Office Building"; H.R. 4157,
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 600
Lincoln Avenue in Pasadena, California, as the "Matthew `Mack' Robinson Post
Office Building"; H.R. 4430, amended, to redesignate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at D69711831 Scaggsville Road in Fulton,
Maryland, as the "Alfred Rascon Post Office Building"; H.R. 4517, to designate
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 24 Tsienneto Road
in Derry, New Hampshire, as the "Alan B. Shepard, Jr., Post Office Building";
H.R. 4484, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 500 North Washington Street in Rockville, Maryland, as the "Everett
Alvarez, Jr. Post Office Building"; H.R. 4534, amended, to designate the
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 114 Ridge Street in
Lenoir, North Carolina, as the "James T. Broyhill Post Office Building"; H.R.
4554, to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located
at 1602 Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the "Joseph F.
Smith Post Office Building"; H.R. 4615, to redesignate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 3030 Meredith Avenue in Omaha,
Nebraska, as the "Reverend J.C. Wade Post Office"; H.R. 4625, to designate the
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2108 East 38th Street
in Erie, Pennsylvania, as the "Gertrude A. Barber Post Office Building"; H.R.
4658, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at
301 Green Street in Fayetteville, North Carolina, as the "J.L. Dawkins Post
Office Building"; and H.R. 4437, amended, Semipostal Authorization Act.
[Page: D697]
The Committee also approved the following draft report entitled "Making the
Federal Government Accountable" Enforcing the Mandate for Effective Financial
Management".
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported H.R. 3673, United
States Panama Partnership Act of 2000.
The Committee also favorably considered the following measures and adopted a
motion urging the Chairman to request that they be considered on the
Suspension Calendar: amended, the Defense and Security Assistance Act of 2000;
H.R. 4697, amended, to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to ensure that
Unites Stated assistance programs promote good governance by assisting other
countries to combat corruption throughout society and to promote transparency
and increased accountability for all levels of government and throughout the
private sector; H.R. 4002, amended, Famine Prevention and Freedom from Hunger
Improvement Act of 2000; H.R. 4528, amended, International Academic
Opportunity Act of 2000; H. Con. Res. 348, amended, Expressing condemnation of
the use of children as soldiers and expressing the belief that the United
States should support and, where possible, lead efforts to end this abuse of
human rights; H. Con. Res. 232, amended, Expressing the sense of Congress
concerning the safety and well-being of United States citizens injured while
traveling in Mexico; H. Con. Res. 322, amended, expressing the sense of
Congress regarding Vietnamese Americans and others who seek to improve social
and political conditions in Vietnam; H. Res. 531, amended, condemning the 1994
attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, urging
the Argentine Government to punish those responsible; S. Con. Res. 81,
expressing the sense of the Congress that the Government of the People's
Republic of China should immediately release Rabiya Kadeer, her secretary, and
her son, and permit them to move to the United States if they so desire; H.
Con. Res. 297, amended, Congratulating the Republic of Hungary on the
millennium of its foundation as a state; and H. Con. Res. 319, congratulating
the Republic of Latvia on the 10th anniversary of the restablishment of its
independence from the rule of the former Soviet Union.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES: A GROWING THREAT TO AMERICA'S HEALTH AND SAFETY
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on Infectious Diseases: A
Growing Threat to America's Health and Security. Testimony was heard from
David Satcher, M.D., Surgeon General, Department of Health and Human Services;
David F. Gordon, National Intelligence Officer of Economics and Global Issues,
National Intelligence Council, CIA; and David L. Heymann, M.D., Executive
Director, Communicable Diseases, World Health Organization.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 4267, Internet Tax Reform and
Reduction Act of 2000; H.R. 4460, Internet Tax Simplification Act of 2000; and
H.R. 4462, Fair and Equitable Interstate Tax Compact Simplification Act of
2000. Testimony was heard from Ray Haynes, member, Senate, State of
California; R. Michael Southcombe, Tax Commissioner, State of Idaho; Gary
Viken, Secretary of Revenue, State of South Dakota; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--INTERNET AND FEDERAL COURTS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property
held an oversight hearing on The Internet and Federal Courts: Issues and
Obstacles. Testimony was heard from Andrew Pincus, General Counsel, Department
of Commerce; D. Jean D698Veta, Deputy Associate Attorney General, Department
of Justice; Jeffery P. Kovar, Assistant Legal Advisor, Private International
Law, Department of State; and public witnesses.
[Page: D698]
ADOPTED ORPHANS CITIZENSHIP ACT; OVERSIGHT--EVALUATING RELIGIOUS WORKER VISA
PROGRAMS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims began
markup of H.R. 2883, Adopted Orphans Citizenship Act.
The Subcommittee also held an oversight hearing on Evaluating the Religious
Worker Visa Programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of State: Mildred Patterson, Managing Director, Visa Office; and
John Brennan, Consular Office; Thomas Cook, Acting Assistant Commissioner,
Adjudications, Immigration and Naturalization Service; Department of Justice;
and Jess Ford, Associate Director, International Relations and Trade Issues,
GAO.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources approved
for full Committee action a resolution finding that Mr. Keith Rutter refused
to answer a pertinent question while testifying before the Subcommittee on May
4, 2000, and the facts of this refusal shall be reported by the Chairman of
the Subcommittee to the full Committee on Resources for such action as the
Committee deems appropriate and that the Subcommittee finds that Mr. Henry
Banta and Ms. Danielle Brian Stockton refused to answer pertinent questions
while testifying before the Subcommittee on May 18, 2000, and the facts of
these refusals shall be reported by the Chairman of the Subcommittee to the
Committee on Resources for such action as the Committee deems appropriate.
GREAT APE CONSERVATION ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 4320, Great Ape
Conservation Act of 2000.
OVERSIGHT--FOREST SERVICE PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on Forest Service Performance Measures. Testimony was heard
from James E. Wells, Jr., Director, Energy, Resources, and Science Issues,
Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division, GAO; the following
officials of the USDA: Vincette L. Goerl, Chief Financial Officer, Forest
Service; and James R. Ebbitt, Assistant Inspector General, Audit; and Ross W.
Gorte, Natural Resource Economist and Policy Specialist, Congressional
Research Service, Library of Congress.
OVERSIGHT--CALFED PROGRAM
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight
hearing on the CALFED program. Testimony was heard from David Hayes, Deputy
Secretary, Department of the Interior: Felicia Marcus, Regional Administrator,
Region 9, EPA; Steven L. Stockton, Director, Programs Management, South
Pacific Division, U.S. Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, Department
of Defense; Mary Nichols, Secretary for Resources, State of California; and
public witnesses.
FAA'S WIDE AREA AUGMENTATION SYSTEM
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on Cost Overruns and Delays in the FAA's Wide Area Augmentation
System and Related Radio Spectrum Issues. Testimony was heard from Gerald L.
Dillingham, Associate Director, Transportation Issues, Resources, Community,
and Economic Development Division, GAO; the following officials of the
Department of Transportation: Steven Zaidman, Associate Administrator,
Research and Acquisitions, FAA; and Kenneth M. Mead, Inspector General, and
public witnesses.
FEDERAL TAX LAWS--COMPLEXITY IN ADMINISTRATION
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on
Complexity in Administration of Federal Tax Laws. Testimony was heard from
Charles O. Rossotti, Commissioner, IRS, Department of the Treasury.
2000/06/30
Daily Digest - Friday, June 30, 2000; pages D701 - D706
Committee Meetings
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA--MANAGEMENT REFORM
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the District of Columbia held a
hearing on Management Reform in the District Government. Testimony was heard
from Gloria L. Jarmon, Director, Health, Education and Human Services,
Accounting and Financial Management Issues, GAO; the following officials of
the District of Columbia: Anthony A. Williams, Mayor; and Linda M. Cropp,
Chairman, Council.
DRUGS AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CONTINUE FLOOD TO U.S. FROM MEXICO
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy
and Human Resources held a hearing on Black-Tar Heroin, Methamphetamine,
Cocaine, Illegal Immigrants Continue to Flood U.S. from Mexico Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of Justice: Joseph D.
Keefe, Special Agent in Charge, Special Operations, DEA; and Luis E. Barker,
Chief Patrol Agent, El Paso Sector, U.S. Border Patrol, Immigration and
Naturalization Service; Ed Logan, Special Agent in Charge, San Diego, U.S.
Customs Service, Department of the Treasury; Judge W. Royal Furgeson, Jr.,
U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas; and public witnesses.
DC JAIL--CORRECTIONS MEDICAL RECEIVER
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on the District of Columbia held
a hearing on Beyond Community Standards and a Constitutional Level of Care? A
Review of Services, Costs, and Staffing Levels at the Corrections Medical
Receiver for the District of Columbia Jail. Testimony was heard from Laurie
Ekstrand, Director, Administration of Justice Issues, General Government
Division, GAO; Karen Schneider, Special Officer, U.S. District Court, District
of Columbia; and the following officials of the District of Columbia: Eric
Christian, Deputy Mayor, Public Health and Justice; Ronald Shansky, M.D.,
Corrections Medical Receiver; and John Clark, Corrections Trustee.
2000/07/10
Daily Digest - Monday, July 10, 2000; pages D708 - D716
Committee Meetings
No Committee Meetings were held.
2000/07/11
Daily Digest - Tuesday, July 11, 2000; pages D717 - D724
Committee Meetings
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government approved for full Committee action the Treasury, Postal
Service, and General Government appropriations for fiscal year 2001.
NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Committee on Armed Services: Special Oversight Panel on Department of Energy
Reorganization held a hearing on implementation issues related to the
establishment of the National Nuclear Security Administration. Testimony was
heard from Gen. John Gordon, USAF, Administrator, National Nuclear Security
Administration, Department of Energy.
RYAN WHITE CARE ACT AMENDMENTS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
on H.R. 4807, Ryan White CARE Act Amendments of 2000. Testimony was heard from
Claude Earl Fox, M.D., Administrator, Health Resources and Services
Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; Janet Heinrich,
Associate Director, GAO; Tom Liberti, Chief, Bureau of HIV/AIDS, Department of
Health, State of Florida; Guthrie S. Birkhead, M.D., Director, AIDS,
Institute, Department of Health, State of New York; and public witnesses.
DOE'S NUCLEAR WEAPON LABORATORIES--WEAKNESSES IN CLASSIFIED SECURITY CONTROLS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a
hearing on "Weaknesses in Classified Information Security Controls at DOE's
Nuclear Weapon Laboratories," Testimony was heard from Jim Wells, Issues Area
Director, Energy, Resources, and Sciences Issues, GAO; and the following
officials of the Department of Energy: Glenn S. Podonsky, Director, Office of
Independent Oversight and Performance Assurance; T. J. Glauthier, Deputy
Secretary; C. Paul Robinson, President and Laboratories Director, Sandia
National Laboratories; John C. Browne, Director, Los Alamos National
Laboratory; and C. Bruce Tarter, Director, Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory; and a public witness.
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH ANTI-DRUG MEDIA CAMPAIGN
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy,
and Human Resources held a hearing on the Effectiveness of the National Youth
Anti-Drug Media Campaign. Testimony was heard from Barry R. McCaffrey,
Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy; and public witnesses.
HEALTH CARE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT ACT
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing on H.R. 4401, Health Care
Infrastructure Investment Act of 2000. Testimony was heard from Senator Lugar;
Gary Christoph, Chief Information Officer, Health Care Financing
Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; Joel Willemssen,
Director, Civil Agencies Information Systems, GAO; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended the following bills:
H.R. 4194, Small Business Merger Fee Reduction Act of 2000; H.R. 4033,
Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 2000; and H.R. 2059, to amend the
Omnibus Crime Control D722and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend the
retroactive eligibility dates for financial assistance for higher education
for spouses and dependent children of Federal, State, and local law
enforcement officers who are killed in the line of duty.
[Page: D722]
ADOPTED ORPHANS CITIZENSHIP ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims approved
for full Committee action H.R. 2883, Adopted Orphans Citizenship Act.
MINERAL RIGHTS AND FEDERAL EMPLOYEE PAYMENTS
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources met in
executive session to hold a hearing to examine laws, policies, practices, and
operations of the Department of the Interior and Department of Energy related
to payments to their employees (including federal public land oil royalty and
valuation policy advisors) from outside sources, (including the Project on
Government Oversight); and to examine (a) the source of funds for such
payments (b) the relationship between those managing and overseeing the
organization that made the payments and the individuals who received the
payments, (c) the effect of the payments on programs, policies, and positions
of such departments. Testimony was heard from Robert A. Berman, Economist,
Department of the Interior.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing one hour of
general debate on H.R. 4811, making appropriations for foreign operations,
export financing, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September
30, 2001, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order
against consideration of the bill. The rule waives points of order against
provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of Rule XXI
(prohibiting unauthorized or legislative provisions in a general
appropriations bill or prohibiting reappropriations in a general
appropriations bill), except as specified in the rule. The rule waives points
of order against amendments to the bill for failure to comply with clause 2(e)
of Rule XXI (prohibiting non-emergency designated amendments to be offered to
an appropriations bill containing an emergency designation). The rule allows
the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to accord priority in recognition
to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record.
The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes
during consideration of the bill, and to reduce voting time to five minutes on
a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the
rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony
was heard from Representatives Callahan, Baker, Greenwood, Brady of Texas,
Pelosi, Lowey, Nadler, Waters and Menendez.
MARRIAGE TAX PENALTY RELIEF RECONCILIATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a modified closed rule providing 1
hour of debate on H.R. 4810, Marriage Tax Penalty Relief Reconciliation Act of
2000. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill.
The rule provides for consideration of the amendment in the nature of a
substitute, printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution,
if offered by Representative Rangel or his designee, which shall be considered
as read and shall be separately debatable for one hour equally divided between
the proponent and an opponent. The rule waives all points of order against
consideration of the amendment printed in the report. Finally, the rule
provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions Testimony was
heard from Representatives Weller and Rangel.
ROADLESS POLICY--EFFECTS ON RURAL SMALL BUSINESS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Business
Opportunities and Special Small Business Problems held a hearing on the
Effects of the Roadless Policy on Rural Small Business and Rural Communities.
Testimony was heard from Charles Rawls, General Counsel, USDA; and public
witnesses.
2000/07/12
Daily Digest - Wednesday, July 12, 2000; pages D725 - D734
Committee Meetings
FEDERAL FARM POLICY
Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing to review federal farm policy.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
Hearings continue July 19.
REVISED SUBALLOCATION OF BUDGET ALLOCATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported a report on the revised
suballocation of budget allocations for fiscal year 2001.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BUDGET
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the District of Columbia held a
hearing on Fiscal Year 2001 District of Columbia Budget. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the District of Columbia: Anthony A. Williams,
Mayor; and Linda M. Cropp, Chairman, Council; and Alice M. Rivlin, Chairman,
D.C. Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority.
MEDICARE AND MEDICAID--PAYMENT ERRORS
Committee on the Budget: Health Task Force held a hearing on Blowing Smoke on
the Invisible Man, Measuring Fraud, Payment Errors in Medicare and Medicaid.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the GAO: Gloria L. Jarmon,
Director, Civil Audits; and William D. Hamel, Special Agent; Penny Thompson,
Director, Program Integrity Group, Health Care Financing Administration,
Department of Health and Human Services; and Robb Miller, Inspector General,
Department of Public Aid, State of Illinois.
DOE'S MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Committee on the Budget: Natural Resources and the Environment Task Force held
a hearing on Department of Energy Management Practices. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Department of Energy: Carolyn Huntoon,
Assistant Secretary, Environmental Management; and Brig. Gen. Thomas Giocanda,
USAF, Acting Deputy Administrator, Defense Programs; and Gary Jones, Associate
Director, Energy Resources and Science, GAO.
COMMODITY FUTURES MODERNIZATION ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials held a
hearing on H.R. 4541, Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000. Testimony
was heard from Arthur Levitt, Chairman, SEC; C. Robert Paul, General Counsel,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission; Patrick M. Parkinson, Associate
Director, Division of Research and Statistics, Board of Governors, Federal
Reserve System; and Lewis A. Sachs, Assistant Secretary, Financial Markets,
Department of the Treasury.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing on the following measures: Federal
Property Asset Management Reform Act; and H.R. 3285, Federal Asset Management
Improvement Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from Representative Sessions; the
following officials of the GSA: David Barram, Administrator; and David L.
Bibb, Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Governmentwide Policy; Bernie
Ungar, Director, Governmentwide Business Operations Issues, GAO; Rear Adm.
Ronald F. Silva, USCG, Assistant Commandant, Systems and Chief Engineer, U.S.
Coast Guard, Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.
HEPATITIS C: VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans'
Affairs and International Relations held a hearing on Hepatitis C: Access,
Testing and Treatment in the VA Health Care System. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Thomas Holohan,
M.D., Chief, Patient Care Services, Veterans Health Administration; Frank
Iber, M.D., Gastroenterologist, Hines VA Medical Center; Samuel B. Ho, M.D.,
Staff Physician, Minneapolis VA Medical Center; and Norbert Brau, M.D., Staff
Physician, Bronx VA Medical Center; and public witnesses.
GLOBAL TERRORISM
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on Global Terrorism:
South Asia-The New Locus. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of State: Michael A. Sheehan, Ambassador-at-Large, Coordinator
for Counterterrorism; and Alan W. Eastham, Jr., Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Bureau of South Asian Affairs.
OVERSIGHT--CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION--DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held an oversight
hearing on the Civil D732Rights Division of the Department of Justice.
Testimony was heard from Bill Lann Lee, Acting Assistant Attorney General,
Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice.
[Page: D732]
CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS ISSUES; OVERSIGHT--OFFICE OF INSULAR AFFAIRS
Committee on Resources: Approved a motion to sustain rulings by Chairman Don
Young on objections to the production of records subject to subpoenas issued
by Chairman Don Young under the authority of a resolution adopted by the
Committee on Resources on June 9, 1999, which objections were raised by Robert
A. Berman, Henry M. Banta, Danielle Brian Stockton, Keith Rutter, and the
Project on Government Oversight.
The Committee also held an oversight hearing on Office of Insular Affairs,
U.S. Department of the Interior. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of the Interior: Earl E. Devaney, Inspector
General; and Ferdinand Aranza, Director, Office of Insular Affairs; and Allen
Stayman, Office of Compact Negotiator, E.A.P., Department of State.
VETERANS LEGISLATION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Benefits held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 4765, 21st Century Veterans Employment and Training Act;
and H.R. 3256, Veterans' Right to Know Act. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Pascrell and Doyle; Joseph Thompson, Under Secretary,
Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs;
Espiridion Borrego, Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and Training,
Department of Labor; Alan Gibson, Disabled Veteran Outreach Program
Specialist, State of Missouri; James H. Hartman, Director, Veterans Employment
and Training Service, State of New York; Stephen A. Horton, Manager,
Employment Security Program Services, Department of Industrial Relations,
State of Alabama; and public witnesses.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
2000/07/13
Daily Digest - Thursday, July 13, 2000; pages D736 - D744
Committee Meetings
BANNING METHYL BROMIDE--AGRICULTURAL CONSEQUENCES
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture held a
hearing to review the agricultural consequences of banning methyl bromide.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the District of Columbia approved
for full Committee action the District of Columbia appropriations for fiscal
year 2001.
TERRORISM AND THREATS TO U.S. INTERESTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Committee on Armed Services: Special Oversight Panel on Terrorism held a
hearing on terrorism and threats to U.S. interests in the Middle East.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
ANTHRAX VACCINE IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM--DOD MANAGEMENT
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing
on Department of Defense management of the Anthrax Vaccine Immunization
Program. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Defense: Rudy de Leon, Deputy Secretary; Gen. Tommy R. Franks, Jr., USA,
Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Central Command; Rear Adm. J. Jarrett Clinton, USN,
First Assistant to the Assistant Secretary, Health Affairs; Maj. Gen. Randall
L. West, USMC, Senior Advisor to the Deputy Secretary, Chemical and Biological
Protection; Anna Johnson-Winegar, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Chemical and
Biological Defense; and April G. Stephenson, Chief, Policy Program Division;
Defense Contract Audit Agency; Kathryn C. Zoon, Director, Center for Biologic
Evaluation and Research, FDA, Department of Health and Human Services; and a
public witness.
RYAN WHITE CARE ACT AMENDMENTS
Committee on Commerce: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4807, Ryan White
CARE Act Amendments of 2000.
CONSTRUCTION QUALITY ASSURANCE ACT
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology held a hearing on H.R. 4012, Construction Quality
Assurance Act of 2000. Testimony was heard from David Drabkin, Deputy
Associate Administrator, Office of Acquisition Policy, GSA; and public
witnesses.
FAIRNESS AND VOLUNTARY ARBITRATION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 534, Fairness and
Voluntary Arbitration Act.
OVERSIGHT--GENE PATENTS AND OTHER GENOMIC INVENTIONS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property
held an oversight hearing on Gene Patents and Other Genomic Inventions.
Testimony was heard from Todd Dickinson, Under Secretary, Intellectual
Property and Director, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Department of
Commerce; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 4423, Probation Officers' Protection Act of 2000; and
H.R. 3484, Child Sex Crimes Wiretapping Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from
Representative Johnson of Connecticut; Emmet G. Sullivan, U.S. District Judge,
District of Columbia, member, Committee on Criminal Law, Judicial Conference
of the United States; David R. Knowlton, Deputy Assistant Director, Criminal
Investigation Division, FBI, Department of Justice; John Varrone, Acting
Assistant Commissioner, Office of Investigations, U.S. Customs Service,
Department of the Treasury; Robert Ryan, Chief Probation Officer, U.S.
District of Massachusetts; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held an oversight hearing on
the U.S. Marshals Service. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the U.S. Marshals Service, Department of Justice: John W. Marshall, Director;
Donald S. Donovan, Acting Assistant Director, Judicial Security Division;
Robert J. Finan, II, Assistant Director, Investigative Services Division;
Kenneth L. Pekarek, Acting Assistant Director, Justice Prisoner and Alien
Transportation System; and George K. McKinney, U.S. Marshal, District of
Maryland.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, and Public Lands held
a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 2752, Lincoln County Land Act of 1999;
H.R. 4312, Upper Housatonic National D743Heritage Area Study Act of 2000; H.R.
4613, National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000; and H.R. 4721, to
provide for all right, title, and interest in and to certain property in
Washington County, Utah, to be vested in the United States. Testimony was
heard from Representative Johnson of Connecticut; the following officials of
the Department of the Interior: Pete Culp, Assistant Director, Minerals,
Realty and Resource Protection, Bureau of Land Management; and Katherine H.
Stevenson, Associate Director, Cultural Resource Stewardship and Partnerships,
National Park Service; Kevin J. Phillips, Mayor, Caliente, Nevada; and public
witnesses.
[Page: D743]
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight
hearing on the Bureau of Reclamation's Title XVI program. Testimony was heard
from Eluid Martinez, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the
Interior; and public witnesses.
WAIVING SAME DAY CONSIDERATION--SENATE AMENDMENTS--MARRIAGE TAX PENALTY RELIEF
RECONCILIATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving clause 6(a) of rule
XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is
reported from the Rules Committee) against certain resolutions reported from
the Rules Committee. The rule applies the waiver to a special rule reported on
the legislative day of July 17, 2000, providing for consideration or
disposition of any Senate amendments to H.R. 4810, the Marriage Penalty Tax
Elimination Reconciliation Act of 2000.
EPA--STRENGTHENING SCIENCE
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on
Strengthening Science at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-National
Research Council Findings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MORELLA COMMISSION REPORT
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing to review the
Morella Commission Report: Recommendations to Attract Women and Minorities
Into Science, Engine |
